The Afternoon Update with Lynlee Foo

Why are non-tech players—from real estate developers to sovereign wealth funds—pouring billions into data infrastructure across Asia? On Industry Insight, Jennifer Tay, PwC Asia Pacific Infrastructure leader and PwC Singapore Partner joins Lynlee Foo todiscuss the forces reshaping the market: from AI-driven demand and energy constraints to ESG mandates and sovereign fund strategies. She shares insights into why Asia’s data centre market is heating up, how connectivity and grid capacity are now mission-critical, what roles non-tech players are stepping into, and whether the boom in capital is heading toward consolidation.

What happens when AI goes viral — but the rules haven’t caught up? From Ghibli-style art generators to powerful large language models, generative AI is raising big questions around copyright, consent, energy use, and accountability. As businesses race to deploy these tools, who’s thinking about governance? IBM’s Stephen Braim, Vice President Governmental & Regulatory Affairs, Asia Pacific joins Lynlee Foo on Industry Insight to unpack the risks, regulations, and regional responses that could shape the future of AI governance in Asia and beyond.

Is your next home climate-resilient? Do rental listings reveal hidden bias? And how much influence do digital platforms have over what we see — or don’t — in the housing market? As cities across Southeast Asia expand and temperatures rise, property listings are no longer just about price and location. Increasingly, they reflect deeper concerns—like climate risk, rental bias, and long-term liveability. On Industry Insight, we dive into the future of sustainable and inclusive housing with PropertyGuru's Head of Sustainability, Cecile Corda. Learn about the role PropTech platforms play in urban transformation and how digital tools influence what homes people see, and which ones they trust.

What does “good government” look like in an age of complex global challenges? As geopolitical tensions rise, governments face growing pressure not just to lead, but to perform. OnViewpoint, Wu Wei Neng, CEO of the Chandler Institute of Governance, shares findings from the 2025 Chandler Good Government Index. From Singapore’s rise to the top, to surprising leaps from the UAE, Vietnam and Rwanda, discover what sets high-performing governments apart—and why financial stewardship and global influence are slipping in others.

At NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific, the buzz wasn’t just about AI and immersive commerce—it was about how travel is reshaping retail. 'Live' from Marina Bay Sands, Industry Insight dives into the latest travel and retail trends in Asia Pacific with Mastercard's Chief Economist David Mann. From currency-savvy Singaporean travelers boosting footfall in Tokyo and Osaka, to the rise of wellness and purpose-driven tourism, discover why shopping no longer starts at the storefront—but at the moment a flight is booked. Plus, hear how FX shifts, digital wallets, and real-time personalisation are redefining retail strategies across Asia.

What does retail in Asia Pacific look like in 2025? 'Live' from NRF 2025 APAC at Marina Bay Sands, the region's biggest retail conference, George Pepes of APAC Vertical Solutions Lead for Healthcare and Retail, Zebra Technologies joins The Afternoon Update's Lynlee Foo to unpack how AI-powered mobile solutions, intelligent inventory management, and real-time workforce tools are redefining the customer experience across Asia. With Gen Z leading the charge as NFC-native consumers and expectations rising across the board, George explains why retailers must act fast to digitise, automate, and adapt. Listen to this conversation to stay ahead in one of the world’s fastest-moving retail markets.

Generative AI is reshaping legal practice — from how junior lawyers conduct research to what clients now expect from their legal advisers. But that’s just the beginning. On Industry Insight, Yeong Zee Kin, Chief Executive of the Singapore Academy of Law, joins Lynlee Foo to unpack the bigger shifts redefining legal careers in Singapore. Discover how AI is transforming the role of the lawyer, the rising importance of human judgment, and how structured training and cultural reform are becoming key to retaining talent. From new client pressures to the growing appeal of in-house roles and international opportunities, Zee Kin offers a grounded, strategic view of what the legal profession must do to stay ahead. Whether you’re a practitioner, policymaker, or just AI-curious, listen to this essential conversation about the future of law in a fast-changing world.

From Russia to Myanmar, the global sanctions net is tightening and Singapore based businesses are feeling the pressure. Recent headlines involving CCIC Singapore and Splendent Technologies show how even indirect exposure can lead to serious consequences. What is driving this increase in enforcement and how can companies here protect themselves? On Industry Insight, we speak with Haider Mannan, founderof risk intelligence firm BIGTXN to unpack the fast-evolving sanctions landscape, why traditional compliance is no longer enough and the practical steps all businesses should take to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

According to ACCA’s Global Talent Trends 2025 survey, 65% of Singapore finance professionals plan to change roles within two years, and globally, over half of respondents—and 37% in Singapore—view accountancy as a springboard to start their own business. On Industry Insight, ACCA’s Regional Head of Policy, Chiew Chun Wee shares more about the transformation of the sector in the AI era — accountants are evolving from traditional number-crunchers into strategic business partners and driving innovation with AI, sustainability reporting, and integrated thinking. Plus, the critical skills you need for financial leadership in Asia Pacific. A must-listen for accounting and finance professionals looking to stay ahead in a rapidly changing professional landscape!

How do you move from AI hype to enterprise impact? Why do some AI and cloud strategies scale while others stall? The Afternoon Update's Lynlee Foo sat down with cloud computing platform Amazon Web Services' Enterprise Strategist and former Coca-Cola Global CIO Miriam McLemore to unpack what enterprise leaders get wrong — and what the best get right. From decision velocity and culture readiness to workflow simplification and strategic cloud adoption, tune in to get a boardroom-level view of digital transformation done right.