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In the world of finance, few debates are as polarizing as the one surrounding the current AI boom. Is it a speculative bubble poised to burst, or is it a foundational investment in a technology that will redefine our economy? According to SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, even asking the question reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of the technology at hand. At his company’s annual conference in Tokyo, Son dismissed the notion of an AI bubble as "absurd." However his stance was

China has taken a significant step forward in robotics education with the opening of its first school dedicated exclusively to humanoid robotics. This new institution marks a milestone in the country’s commitment to advancing technology and preparing the next generation of engineers and innovators. The school aims to cultivate talent capable of designing, building, and programming humanoid robots that can interact naturally with humans and perform complex tasks. China's first

Intel has been one of the most closely watched turnaround stories in the semiconductor industry, and its recent stock surge reflects a major shift in investor sentiment. CNBC reported that Intel shares jumped 24% in a single day in April, and the stock was up 124% for 2026 at that point, after rising 84% in 2025. After years of skepticism, the market is now rewarding signs that Intel’s business is stabilizing, demand is improving, and the company may be better positioned to b

If you've ever booked a hotel room and wondered why the price seems to change daily or even when you've refreshed the page, you've seen dynamic pricing. It's a sophisticated revenue strategy that shapes the hospitality industry and its vital to how they operate efficiently. Dynamic pricing is a strategy where room rates fluctuate based on real-time market conditions. When demand is high, city centre hotels on weekends prices rise. When demand drops, prices fall to stimulate b

After 18 years, Ian Stewart is stepping down as Deloitte's UK Chief Economist. His final Monday Briefing is a sharp diagnosis of where the global economy stands and where it's heading. Here are the six themes that he discusses: 1. Low growth explains everything Most Western economies are growing far slower than 20 years ago. This sluggishness fuels political polarisation, struggling public services, and soaring debt. 2. GDP isn't the only number that matters Immigration boost

SpaceX recently filed paperwork to go public on the Nasdaq, targeting a valuation between $1.75 trillion and $2.0 trillion. After reading the initial sections of the filing and comparing it to independent analysis by NYU Stern professor Aswath Damodaran, I have concluded that SpaceX is best understood as three distinct businesses operating under a single corporate structure. These are the Starlink connectivity division, the space launch and Starship development division, and

Meta just dropped a bombshell on its workforce, and the internal memo explaining it all is going viral for a reason. On May 20, 2026, the tech giant will cut approximately 8,000 jobs, about 10% of its global workforce. Meta's Chief People Officer, Janelle Gale, sent an internal memo that quickly leaked online. In it, she writes: "Over the last few weeks we have been working on some changes to our organization that will result in us laying off around 10% of the company on May

It started as a simple idea in 1948: a doughnut and coffee shop in Quincy, Massachusetts called Open Kettle. Today, that tiny spot has transformed into "America's favorite beverage-led, on-the-go brand," boasting over 10,000 locations across the US and more than 14,000 worldwide. How did Dunkin' Donuts become one of the most ubiquitous names in food service? A Clever Franchise Formula The cornerstone of Dunkin's incredible growth is its franchise-based business model. Instead

One year ago, a state-of-the-art AI system called 'EmpathAI' was mandated for use in civil and criminal courts as a support measure. This AI program can analyse an individual's facial expressions and body language to recommend a court verdict. EmpathAI also allows for the instant analysis of evidence and arguments, suggesting it can judge a case in a matter of seconds. The algorithm is rarely deceived or incorrect, boasting 98% accuracy compared to human judges, who average 8

You’ve probably seen news stories arguing that a political leader is “unfit” or “dangerous.” I recently came across an opinion article on Common Dreams titled “Urgent Warning to Congressional Leaders: Trump is Psychologically Unstable and Dangerous”. A group of psychiatrists and mental health professionals wrote an open letter to Congress, warning that former President Trump shows serious psychological red flags. Here are a few things that stood out to me. First, they point t

As a fresh graduate in Hong Kong, the career landscape may not look promising. A new report has painted a stark picture of the job market, and the challenges are being driven by two heavyweights: a sluggish economy and the relentless rise of artificial intelligence. According to data from the South China Morning Post, 2025 was a tough year for job seekers. Across the city, a staggering 69% of job sectors recorded their fewest number of vacancies in six years. Overall, job po

If someone does the right thing for the wrong reason, is it still a good act? In other words, taking a twist on an idiom, paving the road to "heaven" with ill intentions. From a purely practical standpoint, the outcome often matters most. This perspective, often associated with utilitarian philosophy, suggests that the consequences of an action determine its moral worth not the justification provided by the person performing it. When a wealthy donor gives millions to charity

In the rapidly evolving landscape of 2026, a new corporate mandate from one of the world's largest consultancy firms has announced a bold declaration. Accenture has reportedly told its senior managers that "regular adoption" of its AI tools is now a prerequisite for promotion to leadership positions. While framed as an internal policy, this move is a powerful signal about the changing nature of work, management, and economic value. It's a decision that acts as a corporate st

As Lunar New Year begins, I wanted to reflect on my wonderful experience last year voluteering with the Refugee Union in Hong Kong. I was privileged enough to be able to perform with my band twice for two different audiences, the first for underprivileged children in Hong Kong and the second at a local church for domestic helpers. I performed the same songs for both audiences, yet they felt like different experiences; playing for the children showed me the power of joy and th

In the summer of 2024, a song called "Save the Whales—Again" went viral on TikTok before anyone noticed the fine print: the vocalist, the composer, and the lyricist were all algorithms. Six months later, the artist who released it was dropped from his label—not because he had cheated, but because the label realized they could generate the same output internally without paying him royalties at all. This is the new political economy of music, and it is moving faster than the la

While international headlines often focus on South Korea’s world-beating birth rate crisis as the primary symptom of national despair, they often miss the immediate mechanical cause: an unprecedented, accelerating divergence in wealth that has turned generational economics into a zero-sum game. As of early 2026, the data paints a picture of a society cleaved not just between rich and poor, but between Seoul and the provinces, between those who bought property before 2020 and

For decades, the world of investing was dominated by a central belief: that with enough skill, research, and nerve, a clever fund manager could “beat the market.” This was the realm of active investing—a world of stock pickers, economic forecasts, and CNBC punditry. Yet, over the past 15 years, a silent, unrelenting revolution has unfolded. Trillions of dollars have migrated from actively managed funds to passive index funds and ETFs. This isn’t a minor trend; it’s a fundamen

In early January 2026, the United States launched a military operation in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and pledging to oversee the country's transition. Framed as a move against drug trafficking and to secure oil resources, this intervention has sparked intense debate. But what does it mean for economies at home and abroad? Domestic Effects in the United States and Venezuela For the U.S., the action could bring notable economic benefits, particularly in ener

If you’ve stepped into a trendy toy store or scrolled through social media lately, you’ve seen them: the wide-mouthed, fanged, yet oddly endearing creatures known as Labubu. For the past couple of years, these vinyl art toys from the Hong Kong-based brand Kawsone (by artist Kasing Lung) have been at the center of a retail frenzy. But recently, a question has been bubbling up among collectors and casual observers alike: Is the Labubu craze finally over? As an economics enthusi

We often think of procrastination as a personal failing—a lack of discipline, or a character flaw. But what if approach it from a slightly different angle? What if the cycle we find ourselves in is not just a psychological blockage, but a predictable system? In my experience and most likely the majority of others, procrastination is draining and demoralising. It leeches what little willpower we have and gravitates us to some sort of distraction. This is my interpretation of