I thought I understood AI… until IBM’s CTO completely rewired my thinking.

In this conversation with Kitman Cheung, we go deep into the realities of agentic AI, AI adoption challenges, and why most companies are still stuck at the “desktop productivity” stage.

Kitman also opens up about IBM’s own transformation; HR, finance, sales, everything, powered by enterprise-grade AI. And when we dive into quantum computing, things get wild: from 34% more accurate bond predictions to future-ready materials science.

If you’re curious about where AI trends, generative AI, and quantum computing are taking Asia next, you’ll want to listen till the end.

IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00) Welcome & Why This AI Episode Matters for You
(01:13) Kitman’s Journey: How a Developer Became IBM’s CTO
(04:26) What a CTO Really Does (and How to Think Like One)
(06:27) IBM’s Secret Sauce: Research, Open Source & Real Impact
(08:18) AI & GenAI Explained Simply (Finally!)
(09:46) Agentic AI: What It Is & Why It Changes Everything
(14:11) Measuring AI ROI: The Framework Every Leader Needs
(19:07) Inside IBM: How They Use AI to Save Billions
(21:34) Responsible AI: What Every Business Must Get Right
(21:56) AI Risks: The Hidden Failure Points No One Talks About
(23:03) AI Governance: The Guardrails You Need Before Scaling
(23:48) Trust in AI: The 5 Pillars All Companies Should Adopt
(25:01) AI Bias: How Bad Data Can Break Your Business
(27:33) ASEAN’s AI Reality Check: Who’s Ahead & Who’s Catching Up
(31:12) Quantum 101: Why It Will Break Today’s Limits
(34:02) Quantum Adoption: Real Use Cases & Regional Moves
(38:09) Keeping Up with Tech: A Playbook for Busy Leaders
(39:22) Final Takeaways: Your Next Steps in AI & Quantum

Kitman Cheung
I am an engineer, a software developer, a manager, a presales leader, an author and an inventor. I worked across different domains like Data, AI, DevOps, Hybrid Cloud, Business Automation, Cyber-Security and AIOps. Right now, I am leading a team presales engineer for one of the broadest software and hardware portfolio in the world's most dynamic market. I have a team to deliver innovations to customers everyday. That is not a bad day in the office.

Prantik Mazumdar
Prantik is an entrepreneur & venture investor and acts as a Digital Transformation Catalyst in organizations to drive sustainable change and impact.

After pursuing a major in Computer Engineering & a minor in Technopreneurship from the National University of Singapore (NUS), he kickstarted his career with the Singapore government (Enterprise Singapore) to drive international trade promotion for the island state.

He started his entrepreneurial journey with Happy Marketer in 2011 where he spent a decade building & scaling up one of the best and most awarded independent digital marketing services firm in the region that served brands like Standard Chartered Bank, Income, Great Eastern Life, Royal Brunei Airlines, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Starbucks, Ping An, Grab, Shopee, GoJek, Kimberly Clark, PropertyGuru, PegiPegi, Starhub, Singtel, Nanyang Business School, Kaplan, INSEAD amongst many of its prestigious clients.

ABOUT TiE Talks
TiE Talks brings to you leadership and venture-building lessons from founders, investors and experts in the TiE Singapore network, a vibrant ecosystem of Asian entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, and industry professionals.

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What happens when a FinTech insider also happens to be a media personality, startup investor, and Gen Z trailblazer?

I’ve known Vanessa Ho through many avatars - and in this episode of TiE Talks Singapore, I finally got to sit down with her to unpack it all. From hosting events at 15 to building cross-border startup bridges between Singapore and India, Vanessa has crafted a career that blends influence, investment, and impact.

We talk about her early media journey, jumping into venture capital, driving FinTech innovation, and why Gen Z Singaporeans are rewriting what success looks like. Trust me, this one’s equal parts inspiring and surprising.

Tune in for a deep dive into Singapore’s startup scene, FinTech leadership, and the bold career moves shaping a new generation of founders.

IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00) Why India might be Singapore’s best-kept startup secret
(03:01) The unexpected plot twist at Singapore’s biggest FinTech event
(05:27) How a teen with a mic found her way into venture capital
(08:59) The moment an idea turned NUS students into angel investors
(11:36) Behind the scenes of a homegrown VC hustle
(13:13) When the funding winter hit—who adapted, who froze
(17:51) Why leaving VC for one startup changed everything
(20:10) A campaign stage, a Gen Z voice… and one viral moment
(22:48) Where the real networking happens (hint: it’s not a boardroom)
(24:04) From sneakers to sprints: how coffee runs became actual runs
(25:11) What five hours on a golf course reveals about people
(27:38) Why Gen Z Singaporeans are rewriting the script on success
(30:29) The not-so-glam reality of building a portfolio career
(34:04) The good, the bad… and the beautifully messy side of India
(35:27) A quiet FinTech revolution in an unexpected Indian city

Vanessa Ho
Vanessa Ho is the Co-Founder of Fintech Nation. Fintech Nation invests in early stage startups in Southeast Asia with an expertise in fintech. Fintech Nation also leads community initiatives and thought leadership pieces.

Vanessa is also the Senior Manager, Startup and Venture Partnerships, at Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN).

Previously, Vanessa co-founded NUS Alumni Ventures, a 150-member angel network of founders, C-suites and VC Partners. Vanessa is now an advisor of the angel network.

Prantik Mazumdar
Prantik is an entrepreneur & venture investor and acts as a Digital Transformation Catalyst in organizations to drive sustainable change and impact.

After pursuing a major in Computer Engineering & a minor in Technopreneurship from the National University of Singapore (NUS), he kickstarted his career with the Singapore government (Enterprise Singapore) to drive international trade promotion for the island state.

He started his entrepreneurial journey with Happy Marketer in 2011 where he spent a decade building & scaling up one of the best and most awarded independent digital marketing services firm in the region that served brands like Standard Chartered Bank, Income, Great Eastern Life, Royal Brunei Airlines, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Starbucks, Ping An, Grab, Shopee, GoJek, Kimberly Clark, PropertyGuru, PegiPegi, Starhub, Singtel, Nanyang Business School, Kaplan, INSEAD amongst many of its prestigious clients.

ABOUT TiE Talks
TiE Talks brings to you leadership and venture-building lessons from founders, investors and experts in the TiE Singapore network, a vibrant ecosystem of Asian entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, and industry professionals.

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This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels.

What does it really take to turn a medal dream into reality?

This time, I sat down with Olympic silver medallist Ravi Kumar Dahiya and hockey legend & OGQ CEO Viren Rasquinha to talk about the fight behind the podium moment. We went from nail-biting Olympic bouts and injuries to the mindset and support that build champions.

Ravi opened up about what went through his head in those final seconds, and Viren shared how OGQ is backing India’s future medal winners, from tiny villages to the world stage.

If you’ve ever watched an Olympic moment and wondered what it really takes to get there… this one’s for you.

IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00) The medal moment that changes everything
(02:07) Behind every podium… a secret support system
(07:03) Why some sports quietly build legends
(12:11) When seconds decide your Olympic destiny
(20:01) The twist no one saw coming
(24:35) How champions get spotted early
(28:00) What really happens after the medal
(37:27) The quiet engine powering Indian sport
(40:02) The comeback mindset no one talks about
(44:37) The future of medals… may be female

Ravi Kumar Dahiya
Ravi Kumar Dahiya is a highly accomplished freestyle wrestler hailing from Nahri village in Haryana. He won the Silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the Men's 57kg category. He won a Bronze medal at the 2019 World Wrestling Championships, Gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and is a multiple Asian Championships medalist. OGQ has been supporting Ravi's training since 2015.

Viren Rasquinha
Currently Director and CEO of OGQ, a not-for-profit foundation, which supports training and preparation of athletes in India who have the potential of winning an Olympic medal.

Olympian and former Captain of Indian Hockey team. Bestowed Arjuna Award in 2005.

Completed MBA from Indian School of Business (ISB) Hyderabad in 2009.

Connect with Viren at https://www.linkedin.com/in/virenrasquinha/

Prantik Mazumdar
Prantik is an entrepreneur & venture investor and acts as a Digital Transformation Catalyst in organizations to drive sustainable change and impact.

After pursuing a major in Computer Engineering & a minor in Technopreneurship from the National University of Singapore (NUS), he kickstarted his career with the Singapore government (Enterprise Singapore) to drive international trade promotion for the island state.

He started his entrepreneurial journey with Happy Marketer in 2011 where he spent a decade building & scaling up one of the best and most awarded independent digital marketing services firm in the region that served brands like Standard Chartered Bank, Income, Great Eastern Life, Royal Brunei Airlines, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Starbucks, Ping An, Grab, Shopee, GoJek, Kimberly Clark, PropertyGuru, PegiPegi, Starhub, Singtel, Nanyang Business School, Kaplan, INSEAD amongst many of its prestigious clients.

ABOUT TiE Talks
TiE Talks brings to you leadership and venture-building lessons from founders, investors and experts in the TiE Singapore network, a vibrant ecosystem of Asian entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, and industry professionals.

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This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels.