Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

DBS Group Holdings expects to reduce its contract and temporary staff by around 4,000 over the next three years as AI increasingly takes on roles carried out by human beings. Elsewhere, global banks will cut as many as 200,000 jobs in the next three to five years as AI encroaches on tasks currently carried out by human workers, said a Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) report in January.  Still, many firms have stressed that the shift will result in roles being changed by technology, rather than replaced altogether.  But roles in the banking sector are set to be affected by the rise of AI? What AI trends can we expect to see in the next few years? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Professor Boh Wai Fong, Vice President (Lifelong Learning & Alumni Engagement) and President’s Chair in Information Systems at Nanyang Technological University’s Nanyang Business School.

With Singapore’s life expectancy at 83 years and rising costs of living, ensuring a financially secure retirement is becoming increasingly complex. Many Singaporeans prioritise family needs over personal savings, and traditional retirement planning may not be enough to support them through decades of retirement. Hence, Manulife Investment Management is launching a new customisable investment solution to address Singaporeans' evolving needs.  So how does this differ from traditional approaches? And why should we rethink our retirement planning?  On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Marc Franklin, Senior Portfolio Manager, Deputy Head of Multi-Asset Solutions, Asia, Manulife Investment Management, to find out more. 

PharLyfe+ is an innovative healthcare startup dedicated to transforming the way medication is delivered to patients. Founded by Dr. Tan Poh Leng and Associate Professor Chan Sui Yung, PharLyfe+ develops medicated oral films that offer a safer, simpler, and more sustainable alternative to traditional forms of medication such as pills, syrups, and injections. These films are designed to dissolve quickly in the mouth, delivering medication directly into the bloodstream for a rapid onset of action, while eliminating the need for additional devices like syringes or cups. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr Tan Poh Leng, CEO, PharLyfe+, and Associate Professor Chan Sui Yung, CTO, PharLyfe+, to find out more.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would be willing to resign from his post in exchange for peace in Ukraine or NATO membership. Zelenskyy's comments come ahead of the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and amid rising tensions with US President Donald Trump. Will the Ukrainian president relinquish his position? What will that mean for Ukraine’s future with NATO and its long-term security?  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr. Alexey Muraviev, Associate Professor of National Security and Strategic Studies at Curtin University to find out more. 

Singapore stocks closed slightly lower today, with the STI slipping 0.06% to 3,927 points despite early gains. Olam announced a US$1.8 billion deal to sell a significant stake in Olam Agri; meanwhile, Raffles Medical reported earnings growth, reflecting resilience in the healthcare sector. Elsewhere, we break down Singapore’s latest inflation numbers, SGX’s surge following new market-boosting measures, and the broader impact of global economic trends, including NVIDIA’s highly anticipated earnings report. On Market View on Money Matters, Alexandra Parada speaks to Willie Keng, Founder of The Dividend Titan, to help unpack these developments and what they mean for investors.

Singaporean investors are shunning local stocks as they seek quicker gains and better liquidity in global markets. But are there no great opportunities in the local stock market? Is it all a matter of perception? Are there any hidden gems investors are overlooking? Or is the Singapore stock market as bad as it’s made out to be? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dan Chang, Investment Specialist and Trading Representative, PhillipCapital, to find out more.

On a SIX-match winning streak in the league, with a SIX-point advantage at the top and a game in hand - the Lion City Sailors are gaining momentum in their pursuit of being crowned champions of the 24/25 Singapore Premier League season. But could the upcoming midweek clash against second-placed BG Tampines Rovers throw a spanner in the works? Deepanraj Ganesan weighs in, and reviews the rest of the action from MD26. READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/lion-city-sailors-put-on-five-star-showing-for-third-victory-in-eight-days Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

VFlowTech is a Singapore-based company revolutionizing energy storage with its innovative vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) technology. Founded in 2018, VFlowTech focuses on creating scalable, safe, and sustainable energy storage solutions that address the challenges of renewable energy intermittency. With a commitment to eco-friendly and cost-effective technology, VFlowTech is paving the way for a cleaner, more reliable energy future. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Arjun Bhattarai, CTO & Co-Founder, VFlowTech, to find out more.   Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg) and Naz Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

In today’s session, we speak with a trailblazer in the Asian electric vehicle industry to find out all about the new venture he is involved in.  Joining us all the way from Taipei, Jack Cheng is Co-Founder of electric vehicle maker NIO and was formerly the Chairman of Fiat (China) Automobiles, and is now the chairman of a company called M Mobility.  M Mobility is a startup that aims to commercialise ideas formed within a Foxconn-led consortium called MIH platform.  For context, MIH, or Mobility in Harmony Consortium, is an organisation initiated by Foxconn to create an open EV ecosystem that promotes collaboration in the mobility industry.  The consortium realises key technologies, develop reference designs and standards, while bridging the gap between members in the ecosystem to lower barriers to entry, accelerate innovation, and shorten development cycles.  The goal is to bring strategic partners together to build the next generation of EV, autonomous driving and mobility service applications.   So back to M Mobility, the startup crafts EV solutions tailored for mobility service providers and fleet operators. It aims to connect innovative EV designs with the global supply chain. But what does the firm mean exactly by that and what is its value proposition exactly?  Meanwhile, M Mobility had in October 2023 became the first open EV platform licensee of the MIH Consortium. But how has it made use of MIH Consortium’s platform thus far?  What is also worthy of note is that the firm is said to be backed by Indian information technology services and consulting firm Tech Mahindra, and is working with Sumitomo Corporation EV services arm Hakobune to change the way people view mobility. But where do the different players come in to support M Mobility’s growth? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Jack Cheng, Chairman, M Mobility.

Gold prices hold near record highs as trade war fears and inflation risks drive safe-haven demand. And some on Wall Street reckon gold prices may yet be headed higher. Some say prices may even reach above the key 3,000 dollar level next month. So can it? Can $3,000 be the next target? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Alexandra Symeonidi, corporate credit analyst on William Blair’s emerging markets debt (EMD) team, to find out more.