AI, captain: How SEA’s startups are navigating genAI for business

More: Octopus’ CMO steps down and Grab-GoTo merger talks reopen. [Read from your browser]( Daily Newsletter Welcome to Tech in Asia's free Daily Newsletter! Get full access to our subscribers-only Daily Newsletter and other insightful analysis on the big and messy topics of Asia’s tech and startup community by [registering here](.  --------------------------------------------------------------- IN FOCUS In today's newsletter, we spotlight: - [What Southeast Asia’s startups think of AI]( - Octopus’ chief marketing officer stepping down - Other newsy highlights such as the reopening of Grab-GoTo merger talks --------------------------------------------------------------- Hello {NAME} Happy Valentine’s Day! For a laugh, I asked ChatGPT to give me a list of funny Valentine’s greetings. Here are some of the results: - Roses are red, violets are blue, I hope this card makes you smile, and not say “eww”! - Happy Valentine's Day to my partner in crime! Let's steal some hearts and maybe a few chocolates, too. - You're the bacon to my eggs, the cheese to my macaroni, and the one who always steals the covers. Happy Valentine's Day, you blanket bandit! I’m particularly amused by the last one because I’m a notorious blanket thief. My partner and I have agreed that when we finally move in together, we’ll each have one huge blanket to minimize theft and maintain harmony in our home. It was fun to use ChatGPT in a more personal context, and it’s perhaps one of the more common applications of generative AI these days. Many individuals are embracing genAI to help them work more productively, but in today's premium story, we find that businesses are a different matter altogether. -- Stefanie  ---------------------------------------------------------------  THE BIG STORY [The good, the bad, and the hallucinations: What SEA startups think of AI]( Founders in SEA use genAI in the office for a lot of reasons, but most are still cautious about making it an integral part of their businesses. --------------------------------------------------------------- TRENDING NEWS [Octopus co-founder steps down for ‘personal reasons’]( This comes as the startup is reportedly undergoing operational changes amid scrutiny over unpaid salaries and poor business practices. [Grab and GoTo reopen merger discussions: Bloomberg]( According to a source, GoTo has been more open toward the possible merger since Patrick Walujo became CEO last year. ---------------------------------------------------------------  SAIGON SUMMIT 2024: CHARTING VIETNAM’S TECH FUTURE Special Lunar New Year ticket discounts! Everyone could use a personal survival kit to get through the busy Lunar New Year holidays - take a peek at our suggestions. While you're at it, why not grab a limited-time 18% ticket discount for our first ever Saigon Summit, held in Ho Chi Minh City on May 30? Look forward to learning opportunities and engaging networking conversations that’ll blow the water out of any small talk you’re forced to make during the holidays. You have until Feb. 14 to enjoy this savings - [click here]( to get on it now! ---------------------------------------------------------------  VISUAL STORY OF THE DAY [Surviving the funding game: how timing can make or break your startup]( Industry realities, economic conditions, and market volatility can affect the time gap between funding rounds. ---------------------------------------------------------------  CONFERENCE LINEUP Check out Tech in Asia’s other signature events lineup for 2024 [here](. - [Product Development Conference (June 2024)]( Gain insights from industry leaders, explore current trends, and learn best practices at our Product Development Conference in mid-2024. Sign up as early as now to get special rates for this two-day event in Jakarta. - [Tech in Asia Conference Kuala Lumpur 2024 (July 2024)]( For the first time ever, Tech in Asia Conference is coming to Kuala Lumpur! 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