Asia

ITanong will be a local version of ChatGPT, its developers say, built with considerably fewer resources.

More influencers are joining political parties and contesting elections, raising concerns about the spread of misinformation and the lack of leadership.

Authorities say new regulations are needed to limit hate speech and scams, but creators say they are self-censoring to avoid a crackdown.

From Threads to Bluesky and Zello to Black Myth: Wukong, a handful of small and large tech champions stood out for their impressive growth this year.

Anyone with spare land in a good location can become a franchisee for a charging company, but with no government support it can take years to break even.

Rest of World contributors from Dhaka to Buenos Aires share their highlights, low points, and key takeaways from covering technology in 2024.

From AI-powered classrooms in Mali to EV taxis in Vietnam, people worldwide are seeing opportunities from this year’s biggest tech shifts.

President-elect Donald Trump pledges to escalate the trade war, but non-Western nations have targeted China with tariffs, too.

BPO workers say AI tools are monitoring their calls, assisting them with customers, and scoring their performance.

The tiny country has embraced autonomous vehicles as a way to overcome labor shortages and use its scarce land more efficiently.

The country is among the most vulnerable to online threats, many of them from China. To fight back, the army is recruiting IT professionals.

The super-app uses its own drivers and cameras to create hyperlocal maps in eight countries.

Data centers for companies like Google, Amazon, and Nvidia are transforming Johor state, with locals bracing for higher real estate costs and resource shortages.

As online shopping booms, local merchants are struggling to adapt, despite government help.

With messaging apps, social media, and VPNs banned, people look to satellite services, mesh networks, even walkie-talkies to communicate and work.

The GCash app is ubiquitous in the Philippines, and is being blamed for rising gambling addiction in the country, particularly among women.

Hundreds of workers at the Philippine unit of Nexperia threatened to go on strike over layoff fears, a sign of growing discontent over automation in the industry.

The lifestyle and social media platform, often compared to Instagram, is turning obscure sites into must-see attractions.

Recruiters are wooing new workers with bonuses and gifts.

The Indonesian app Momasa features recipes, cooking lessons, and restaurants that meet the standards of Islamic law.

Miqat uses 360-degree views and mapping software to help users determine the exact right direction for their prayers.

Gen Z slang and social media trends help Giac Minh Luat connect with Vietnam’s lonely generation.

Taoist temples in Taiwan are building digital deities to attract young people.

The company is hoping to fill a niche for content that adheres to Islamic values in the Muslim-majority country.

Biblely allows users to create personalized audio versions of the Bible.

Catholic priests are embracing social media to reach millions, using viral trends to preach, sing, and connect with their followers.

A first-in-the-region law gives gig workers injury compensation and retirement benefits. But some workers fears the higher costs will be passed on to them.

As Amazon and Disney step back, Netflix invests in “locally authentic” content to grab subscribers in the region.

From intensive heat to flood risks, climate change has made the working lives of hundreds of thousands of gig workers harder and more dangerous, so many are banding together to help their communities cope.

Unregistered three-wheelers big enough for whole families are a popular antidote to the country's terrible gridlock.

Proton and Perodua are betting on low prices and an emotional connection with Malaysia’s drivers to compete with BYD and Tesla.

From Thailand to Vietnam, a loophole in buy-now-pay-later schemes that allows users to get cash is raising concerns.

Indonesia has introduced measures to limit sales of cheap imports on e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Lazada and TikTok Shop that are hurting local firms.

Following South Korea’s lead, Singapore intends to ban deepfakes ahead of upcoming elections, despite concerns of curbing freedom of speech.

Unlike wealthier nations where startups and Big Tech take the lead on AI, an Indonesian government agency is leading the charge and focusing on practical applications.

BYD, the top EV maker, faces challenges in Vietnam, where VinFast dominates the charging infrastructure and consumers are wary of Chinese goods.