Your Face. Your Voice. Your Job. Who Owns It in an AI World? – Duplicate – [#15775]

Your Face

19/08/2025

As AI reshapes industries at breakneck speed, we’re witnessing how quickly the promise of efficiency can collide with human consequences. Yet these founders are showing there’s a third path: one where AI amplifies rather than replaces human capability. The question isn’t whether AI will transform your industry, but whether you’ll lead that transformation or be swept along by it.

Sam Altman Warns of AI-Driven Fra

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman sounded the alarm on AI-powered fraud at a Washington D.C. banking conference in July, warning that sophisticated voice and video impersonation tools are about to unleash a global crisis. With AI now capable of convincingly mimicking human voices, he called current voice-based authentication methods “crazy” and dangerously obsolete—a wake-up call that should have every founder and fintech executive rethinking their security stack.

 

The window for proactive action is rapidly closing. As these fraud tools become more accessible and sophisticated, Altman stressed that both public and private sectors must adapt immediately or face crisis-level escalation. With federal AI oversight measures expected soon, the message is clear: the time for reactive security measures is over, and the leaders who move first on AI-resistant authentication will have a crucial competitive advantage in an increasingly dangerous digital landscape.

What this means for founders navigating identity security

Jeff Hu

Founder & CEO

Turing Space

 

AI’s breakneck advancement creates a double-edged reality: whilst it organises humanity’s collective knowledge, it also fuels identity fraud through sophisticated fake documents and false claims. As our world becomes increasingly mobile and digital-first, we desperately need secure, user-friendly ways to verify what’s real—especially when it comes to identity.

 

Digital credentials offer a compelling solution, enabling individuals to carry verified skills and qualifications across borders and systems in a portable, trustworthy format. But this convenience raises critical privacy questions: if governments or third parties control the digital wallets, can they track credential usage? The implications for personal data control and user privacy are profound.

 

Turing Space is tackling these challenges through our new European headquarters in The Hague, partnering with Dutch authorities to build privacy-first digital identity infrastructure. Our mission: help make the Netherlands a ‘Zero-Fraud Nation’ with trusted credentials spanning education, healthcare, finance, and government. With strategic partnerships and regulatory alignment, this blueprint can scale across the EU, supporting digital sovereignty and creating a more paperless, trust-based society.

Indeed & Glassdoor Cut 1,300 Jobs Amid AI Shift

Japan’s Recruit Holdings is cutting approximately 1,300 jobs—6% of the combined workforce—at Indeed and Glassdoor as part of an AI-driven restructuring. The July redundancies hit R&D, technology, and sustainability teams primarily in the U.S., with Glassdoor’s operations being folded into Indeed’s platform.

 

The internal memo was blunt about the catalyst: “AI is changing the world, and we must adapt by ensuring our product delivers truly great experiences for job seekers and employers.” It’s a stark reminder that even market leaders in the talent space aren’t immune to AI’s disruptive force—and that adaptation often comes with a human cost.

What this means for the role of AI in recruitment

Agnes Wun

Co-Founder & CEO

Neufast

 

Neufast’s journey in AI-driven talent acquisition reflects a key lesson we’ve seen play out across the industry—including at companies like Indeed and Glassdoor facing AI-driven restructuring. True innovation in recruitment doesn’t come just from automating processes, but from enhancing human intuition, reducing biases, and fostering genuine connections between employers and talent. Our AI video interview and assessment platform transforms overwhelming hiring challenges into streamlined, equitable opportunities, refined through partnerships across APAC in high-stakes environments from insurance sales to government agencies.

 

The results demonstrate AI’s potential to augment rather than replace human judgement. A major beverage company used our LLM-powered CV scoring to shortlist top graduate trainees, whilst a government agency cut screening time by 96.8% for 2,000 internship applications — completing evaluations in one afternoon instead of conducting 140 face-to-face interviews. In multilingual APAC markets, clients value how our AI surfaces soft skills in local languages like Malay and Cantonese, whilst our patented PII removal masks identifying details to reduce unconscious bias.

 

Hiring decisions ultimately come down to the human element: the spark of potential, cultural fit, and emotional intelligence. We don’t see AI as a black box replacement for human judgement—our tools integrate seamlessly with existing HR systems, enabling manual overrides and audit trails that blend data insights with recruiter expertise. This fusion of technological precision and human empathy turns AI from a tool into a trusted partner in building diverse, high-performing teams, proving that the future of recruitment lies in collaboration, not displacement.

 

Category

News & Article

Your Face. Your Voice. Your Job. Who Owns It in an AI World?

Your Face. Your Voice. Your Job. Who Owns It in an AI World?

19/08/2025

As AI reshapes industries at breakneck speed, we’re witnessing how quickly the promise of efficiency can collide with human consequences. Yet these founders are showing there’s a third path: one where AI amplifies rather than replaces human capability. The question isn’t whether AI will transform your industry, but whether you’ll lead that transformation or be swept along by it.

Sam Altman Warns of AI-Driven Fraud Crisis

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman sounded the alarm on AI-powered fraud at a Washington D.C. banking conference in July, warning that sophisticated voice and video impersonation tools are about to unleash a global crisis. With AI now capable of convincingly mimicking human voices, he called current voice-based authentication methods “crazy” and dangerously obsolete—a wake-up call that should have every founder and fintech executive rethinking their security stack.

 

The window for proactive action is rapidly closing. As these fraud tools become more accessible and sophisticated, Altman stressed that both public and private sectors must adapt immediately or face crisis-level escalation. With federal AI oversight measures expected soon, the message is clear: the time for reactive security measures is over, and the leaders who move first on AI-resistant authentication will have a crucial competitive advantage in an increasingly dangerous digital landscape.

What this means for founders navigating identity security

Jeff Hu

Founder & CEO

Turing Space

 

AI’s breakneck advancement creates a double-edged reality: whilst it organises humanity’s collective knowledge, it also fuels identity fraud through sophisticated fake documents and false claims. As our world becomes increasingly mobile and digital-first, we desperately need secure, user-friendly ways to verify what’s real—especially when it comes to identity.

 

Digital credentials offer a compelling solution, enabling individuals to carry verified skills and qualifications across borders and systems in a portable, trustworthy format. But this convenience raises critical privacy questions: if governments or third parties control the digital wallets, can they track credential usage? The implications for personal data control and user privacy are profound.

 

Turing Space is tackling these challenges through our new European headquarters in The Hague, partnering with Dutch authorities to build privacy-first digital identity infrastructure. Our mission: help make the Netherlands a ‘Zero-Fraud Nation’ with trusted credentials spanning education, healthcare, finance, and government. With strategic partnerships and regulatory alignment, this blueprint can scale across the EU, supporting digital sovereignty and creating a more paperless, trust-based society.

Indeed & Glassdoor Cut 1,300 Jobs Amid AI Shift

Japan’s Recruit Holdings is cutting approximately 1,300 jobs—6% of the combined workforce—at Indeed and Glassdoor as part of an AI-driven restructuring. The July redundancies hit R&D, technology, and sustainability teams primarily in the U.S., with Glassdoor’s operations being folded into Indeed’s platform.

 

The internal memo was blunt about the catalyst: “AI is changing the world, and we must adapt by ensuring our product delivers truly great experiences for job seekers and employers.” It’s a stark reminder that even market leaders in the talent space aren’t immune to AI’s disruptive force—and that adaptation often comes with a human cost.

What this means for the role of AI in recruitment

Agnes Wun

Co-Founder & CEO

Neufast

 

Neufast’s journey in AI-driven talent acquisition reflects a key lesson we’ve seen play out across the industry—including at companies like Indeed and Glassdoor facing AI-driven restructuring. True innovation in recruitment doesn’t come just from automating processes, but from enhancing human intuition, reducing biases, and fostering genuine connections between employers and talent. Our AI video interview and assessment platform transforms overwhelming hiring challenges into streamlined, equitable opportunities, refined through partnerships across APAC in high-stakes environments from insurance sales to government agencies.

 

The results demonstrate AI’s potential to augment rather than replace human judgement. A major beverage company used our LLM-powered CV scoring to shortlist top graduate trainees, whilst a government agency cut screening time by 96.8% for 2,000 internship applications — completing evaluations in one afternoon instead of conducting 140 face-to-face interviews. In multilingual APAC markets, clients value how our AI surfaces soft skills in local languages like Malay and Cantonese, whilst our patented PII removal masks identifying details to reduce unconscious bias.

 

Hiring decisions ultimately come down to the human element: the spark of potential, cultural fit, and emotional intelligence. We don’t see AI as a black box replacement for human judgement—our tools integrate seamlessly with existing HR systems, enabling manual overrides and audit trails that blend data insights with recruiter expertise. This fusion of technological precision and human empathy turns AI from a tool into a trusted partner in building diverse, high-performing teams, proving that the future of recruitment lies in collaboration, not displacement.

 

Category

News & Article

How 2 Founders Outsmarted Tariffs and Big Tech Early

How 2 Founders Outsmarted Tariffs and Big Tech Early

18/08/2025

The rules of the game are changing fast. While Washington reshapes trade with new tariffs that could upend billion-dollar supply chains, Silicon Valley is quietly revolutionising how we work with AI that knows your communication style better than your closest colleague.

 

From factory floors in Vietnam to Gmail inboxes powered by Gemini, the latest developments are forcing founders to rethink everything – and the smartest ones are already three steps ahead.

How the latest U.S.–Vietnam agreement could reshape Nike and Adidas supply chains

A new US–Vietnam trade deal announced by President Trump on 2 July imposes a 20% tariff on many Vietnamese imports and 40% on goods transshipped from China through Vietnam. This targets transshipment practices where Chinese products are routed through Vietnam to avoid US tariffs, but threatens major brands like Nike and Adidas who manufacture 50% and 27% of their products in Vietnam respectively.

 

While the 20% tariff is lower than expected and US exports to Vietnam gain tariff-free access, Vietnam’s reliance on Chinese raw materials limits immediate benefits. Industry groups warn the tariffs risk disrupting supply chains and harming consumers, leaving retailers to navigate a complex new trading landscape.

What this means for biotech founders

Alexandra Zhang
Co-founder & CEO
Factorem

 

 Over the past few years, I’ve seen firsthand how global supply chains have been reshaped by rising tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and an urgent need for greater flexibility. When we first started Factorem, we were helping hardware teams navigate challenges stemming from overdependence on a single manufacturing hub. Today, that shift away from China has become a necessity. Southeast Asia is stepping up in a big way, with countries like Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia seeing a surge in manufacturing investment, especially in high-value sectors like aerospace, medical devices, and electronics.

Yet, the supplier landscape remains highly fragmented. I’ve spoken to too many founders and product teams who’ve faced frustrating delays, inconsistent part quality, or the stress of chasing down updates. That’s exactly why our AI-powered manufacturing platform is designed to take the guesswork and chaos out of hardware production. Teams get instant quotes, access to reliable, pre-vetted manufacturers, and full visibility from prototype to production.

When a 2023 Kearney survey noted that over 70% of global manufacturers are actively diversifying their sourcing strategies with Southeast Asia ranking as the top alternative to China, we’re exactly where we need to be. As a founder, this journey has taught me the importance of staying scrappy, plugged into the data, and never settling for the status quo. It’s not just about solving supply chain problems, but also about helping innovators build better, faster, and more fearlessly. 

Gmail’s AI-Powered Smart Replies Launch in Q3 2025

At Google I/O 2025, Google announced a major upgrade to Gmail’s Smart Replies, powered by its Gemini AI. Unlike previous versions that only referenced the current thread, the new system pulls context from across your entire Gmail inbox and Google Drive to generate more personalised and helpful replies. The AI can suggest plans or follow-ups by piecing together relevant details and adjusts its tone – formal or casual – based on your past communication style, crafting replies that reflect how you typically write.

 

The new Smart Replies will begin rolling out this month as an alpha preview in Google Labs, with broader availability expected in Q3 2025. Access will start with select premium users before expanding more widely, building on last year’s enhancements to make email responses feel more natural and efficient by better understanding user habits, tone, and phrasing.

What this means for innovators in productivity tech

Adrian Cabrera
Co-founder & CEO
Maestro Labs

 

People ask how we keep staying ahead with tech giants like Google and Microsoft stepping into the AI productivity space. Honestly, I see it as a positive – they help build the market awareness and excitement for AI at work. Our real edge is velocity – moving fast, with a clear direction and purpose.

 

Take Google’s new AI reply feature, for example. It’s hitting Gmail in Q3 2025, but we launched Rapid Replies in December 2023, over 20 months ahead. Since then, we’ve shipped more than 75 features and evolved from just emails (MailMaestro) to meetings (TeamsMaestro), all because we’re close to our users and can react quickly to what matters most.

 

There’s plenty of room in a massive market. If you look at history, it’s packed with examples of companies who broke into crowded spaces by simply delivering a better experience. Notion, for instance, took on Word and Google Docs and built something people truly love. Staying focused on users and delivering great experiences – that’s what wins. And now, being truly AI-first, we can meet those needs faster and more thoughtfully than ever before.

 

What’s made the difference lately? The newest AI coding tools. We’re able to ship improvements faster than ever, sometimes launching a customer’s feature request within 24–48 hours. No ticket gets lost in a massive machine; often you’ll see your suggestion go live before the week is up.

 

In the end, the real moat isn’t budget size—it’s the pace and intention behind your execution. By the time a giant ships version one, we’re already on version twelve, and our users feel that difference every time they hit “Send.”

Category

News & Article

Why Lululemon’s Next Big Thing Is In A Fermentation Tank

Why Lululemon’s Next Big Thing Is In A Fermentation Tank

18/08/2025

Whether you’re building in biotech, energy, or anything in between, these shifts hint at where opportunities (and challenges) are heading. Let’s dive in!

Lululemon’s plant-powered fashion

Fulfilling its commitment to manufacture all of its products using sustainable materials, Lululemon recently signed a multi-year deal with biotech company ZymoChem to develop bio-based nylon 6,6 for the brand’s core collections.

 

The material is made using bio-derived adipic acid, a key ingredient traditionally sourced from petroleum, though ZymoChem produces it through a fermentation process that uses renewable feedstocks such as corn, resulting in nylon 6,6 that matches the texture and performance of conventional nylon.

What this means for biotech founders

Ronaldiaz Hartantyo
Co-Founder & Chief Innovation Officer
MYCL

Lululemon’s latest partnership reflects a powerful lesson in sustainable fashion: new materials succeed not just by matching performance, but by preserving design integrity and emotional resonance.

 

We’ve seen this validated in our own work with Mylea, our mycelium-based leather alternative. Over the past two years, we tested it across Japan, Hong Kong, and Italy with fashion buyers, designers, and consumers. Each time, organically patterned textures were favoured over uniform ones. These “imperfections” weren’t seen as flaws, but as unique, living characteristics imbued with a sense of story and soul.

Sustainability, while important, is rarely the first hook. In fashion, the emotional pull matters more. In Japan, for example, the appeal of kawaii – the cute, the charming, the delightful – can drive a purchase long before the material’s backstory is revealed.

 

That’s why with Mylea, we don’t hide its natural textures. We highlight them to give brands the opportunity to create one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect individuality and authenticity. It’s this blend of emotional engagement and sustainability that will define the next era of material innovation.

IEA forecasts clean energy to be main global power source by 2030

The global energy mix is shifting faster than expected. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA)’s Electricity 2025 report, renewable electricity is expected to surpass coal this year as the largest source of global power generation. Solar and wind energy are also projected to surpass nuclear power by 2026, with solar becoming the leading renewable source globally before the end of the decade.

 

Nearly all increase in electricity demand over the next 2 years will be met by low-emissions sources.

 

The report highlights continued expansion in clean energy capacity, with record additions in 2024. This trend signals a deepening global shift toward renewables, reinforcing strong investment momentum and increasing prioritisation of clean energy in both policy and infrastructure planning across major markets.

What this means for the renewable energy sector

In the past, the challenge was to encourage nations to adopt clean energy. Now, as we near the tipping point, that challenge gives way to a new one: being energy efficient. Globally, an estimated 30 MWh of electricity is wasted every minute—translating to over US$1 trillion in unrealised revenue.

 

Clean energy isn’t just decarbonising the grid, it’s also fuelling job creation and innovation. Technologies like energy storage (such as Synectify’s solutions), carbon-negative bioenergy, and tidal power are gaining traction. But as supply grows, so does demand, particularly from digital infrastructure.

Synectify’s decentalised computing solution.

AI, simulations, digital twins, and Web3 applications are driving computing needs up by over 30% annually. Yet our ability to process all this data is lagging behind. That’s where we come in—building decentralised computing networks to support startups in industrial parks and beyond. Still, no single solution will suffice. The future demands a system-wide focus on efficiency, from power generation to computation.

 

Category

News & Article

Unit Economics with Sovereign’s Capital’s Adora Jones | Workshop

Unit Economics with Sovereign's Capital's Adora Jones | Workshop

Video     Metrics & KPIs Figuring out unit economics     Singapore

00:00 – Preamble

01:45 – Start

05:55 – What is Unit Economics?

10:15 – Why is Unit Economics important?

13:45 – How do you get there?

21:30 – Top mistakes and how to avoid them

This workshop was held as part of the BLOCK71 SE Asia’s Booster program Cohort 1. For more information on SE Asia Booster – visit block71.co or drop us an email at singapore@block71.co / saigon@block71.co / indonesia@block71.co

 

Supporting files

Startup Economics with STRIVE’s Nikhil Kapur | Workshop

Startup Economics with STRIVE's Nikhil Kapur | Workshop

Video     Figuring out unit economics

00:00 – Preamble

01:47 – Start

04:45 – Venture Capital Basics: Who needs VC money?

11:02 – Internet Economy and Types of Growth

12:38 – VC Economics: Why and how do we invest?

18:22 – Unit Economics: Traditional vs Startups

27:18 – CAC is Tech Startups’ biggest hurdle

This workshop was held as part of the BLOCK71 SE Asia’s Booster programme Cohort 2. For more information on SE Asia Booster – visit block71.co or drop us an email at singapore@block71.co / saigon@block71.co / indonesia@block71.co

 

Supporting files

Unit Economics with Indogen Capital’s Chandra Firmanto | Workshop

Unit Economics with Indogen Capital's Chandra Firmanto | Workshop

Video     Metrics & KPIs     Figuring out unit economics      Singapore

00:00 – Preamble

01:26 – Who is Indogen Capital?

06:19 – Pricing Strategies

13:04 – Unit Economics

22:40 – Route to Profitability

About Chandra Firmanto, Founder and Managing Partner of Indogen Capital

Chandra Firmanto is Managing Partner of Indogen Capital, a VC firm investing in greater SEA. He has over 20 years of experience in managing his family business and investments as the Chairman of PT Aneka Makmur Sejahtera. The family business operates across FMCG, automotive, and property sectors and has over 3500+ employees and 150+ branches across Indonesia.

 

This workshop was held as part of the BLOCK71 SE Asia’s Booster programme Cohort 3. For more information on SE Asia Booster – visit block71.co or drop us an email at singapore@block71.co / saigon@block71.co / indonesia@block71.co

 

Supporting files
Speaker                                             Resource Seven

Unit Economics with JAFCO Asia’s Amy Do | Workshop

Unit Economics with JAFCO Asia's Amy Do | Workshop

Video     Management People & culture     Fintech Deep-tech     Figuring out unit economics     China

This workshop was held as part of the BLOCK71 SE Asia’s Booster program Cohort 4. For more information on SE Asia Booster and Global Startup Runway – visit block71.co or drop us an email at singapore@block71.co / saigon@block71.co / indonesia@block71.co

 

Supporting files