AI Related

I Want My Internet Back!

It was 1995, I flick the power switch of my Compaq Presario desktop in my dorm room, the first time I heard that screeching modem tone just weeks before our campus upgraded to T1 connections. That free AOL CD from a PC Mag became my passport to something extraordinary.

Back in those days, the internet felt like exploring a strange new city where every alleyway held potential surprises. You’d stumble into chat rooms with names like “DragonSlayer42” or “BeavisOwnsButthead69” and actually have conversations with real people about ridiculous topics that somehow mattered in the moment. You argue, you laugh, you use weird ASCII combos to make a crude but complex reaction.

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By David Tong, ago

How Big Tech’s AI “Neutrality” Enables Ethical Disasters: 3 Cautionary Tales for Business Leaders

AI is often marketed as an impartial, efficiency-boosting tool, but the reality is messier. As highlighted in videos like “How AI Decisions Go Rogue”, “The Hidden Biases in AI”, and “When Automation Goes Wrong”, AI systems don’t operate in a moral vacuum. They mirror and amplify the data, incentives, and oversight gaps built into them.

For business leaders, this isn’t just a technical issue, it’s a strategic, legal, and reputational risk. When deployed without guardrails, AI can silently automate discrimination, escalate PR crises, or even violate regulations without malicious intent.

Below, we dissect three high-profile cases where household-name companies enabled ethically dubious AI outcomes, unintentionally. Each reveals a critical flaw in how corporations approach AI governance, with actionable lessons for leaders who don’t code but do control budgets and policies.

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By David Tong, ago
Gen AI eCommerce Content Sucks

Most Gen AI eCommerce Content Sucks (and Brands are Paying For It)

Remember that cringe-worthy ad where a “diverse” group of models all had six fingers, or the product shot featuring a bizarrely distorted hand clutching an otherwise beautiful watch? Or perhaps you’ve scrolled past an eCommerce DTC site where every single product description felt like it was churned out by a robot on a caffeine overdose, full of repetitive phrases and generic platitudes.

You’d think these are just minor hiccups; but they’re glaring examples of generative AI gone wrong, particularly for direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands aiming for authenticity and connection. In the wild west of AI integration, many brands are jumping on the bandwagon without truly understanding the reins. This isn’t about AI being inherently “bad”; it’s about using it badly. No brands, big or small, are immune to this, especially in the current hype cycle.

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By David Tong, ago
AI-Hype Thumbnail

AI-Washing – AI Hype vs. Reality: What It Means for You

The AI gold rush is in full swing. Every corporate earnings call, tech conference, and LinkedIn post touts artificial intelligence as the inevitable future. McKinsey predicts generative AI could add $2.6–4.4 trillion annually to the global economy, while headlines declare AI will reshape jobs, industries, and human productivity. Yet beneath the glossy promises lies a stark disconnect: most organizations, outside a handful of tech giants, are struggling to implement AI meaningfully. For career professionals caught between fear and FOMO, understanding this gap is critical.

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By David Tong, ago

Generative AI Powering Ecommerce Growth in Southeast Asia’s Marketplaces

Ecommerce in Southeast Asia is booming, with marketplaces like Shopee, Lazada, and Amazon leading the charge. But beyond flashy AI-generated images or chatbots, I’ve noticed that Generative AI’s subtle but rapid insertion in ecommerce operations on the major marketplaces here in Southeast Asia to get efficient, profitable, and customer-friendly through automation.

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By David Tong, ago