TechTouch Asia

AI can only be implemented successfully if there are people with the skills to make the most of it. Nick Catino (NC), Head of Policy at Deel, recently spoke to TechTrade Asia about how businesses are coping with a shortage of AI talent. Q : There's been a lot of talk about how AI is replacing people. What's Deel's stance on this?  NC : Our Global AI Hiring report shows that 91% of organisations have already experienced role changes or displacement, and one-third (34%) have undergone significant workforce restructuring to integrate AI. Routine tasks are being automated, while human roles shift toward strategic oversight, system management, and creative problem-solving.  This is also transforming recruitment. Firms are adopting skills-based hiring, where they value practical, demonstrable abilities alongside technical credentials. Traditional university degrees are losing relevance, with only 5% of global organisations and 2% of Singaporean companies viewing them as essenti...

Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet) has partnered with Gobarakah Tech (Gobarakah) to deliver targeted relief to rural communities impacted by floods and landslides in Penampang, Sabah.  The digital flood relief supported over 140 individuals from 47 households in heavily-affected areas, including Kampung Madsiang, Kampung Sogumau, Kampung Inobong, Kampung Limbata, and Country Heights. This marks PayNet’s first digital aid initiative in rural Sabah and its second relief effort for Penampang. Beneficiaries were verified and onboarded onto Gobarakah’s platform, receiving e-vouchers, enabling impacted households to redeem essential goods via Koperasi Wawasan Rakyat Sabah’s mobile supply trucks and local grocery stores.  “The current monsoon season has heavily impacted the residents of Penampang. Our goal was to provide greater control and flexibility in the flood aid relief to the impacted residents. This digital approach in partnership with Gobarakah, empowers beneficiaries to ch...