Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Friday, Aug 22, 2025

Go digital with empathy to unlock the post-pandemic future

Go digital with empathy to unlock the post-pandemic future

Even in an era driven by algorithms and data, there is value in looking at the business world from a human angle. Hong Kong needs citywide digital literacy and integration of design into non-design disciplines from a young age.

Syed Munir Khasru’s article“Digital evolution key to Asean’s post-pandemic recovery” (June 4) echoes the call for digitalisation from our city’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are facing increased competition from within the region.

The power of digitalisation has enabled us to work flexibly and have online access to finance, health care, education and entertainment. Blockchain-based non-fungible tokens (NFTs) underpinning authentic ownership of valuables have disrupted the commercialisation of art and real estate. Many such novel ways of work and social behaviour will stay after the pandemic.

In the era of artificial intelligence, businesses of all sizes still need to empathetically connect with customers. They need knowledge to navigate the e-business ecosystem and convincing narratives to win customers. They also need agile retail strategies and to offer customers a seamless online and offline experience.

Specialisation, localisation and different cultures and states of play have led to various digital strategies and practices for accessing different markets. Current education needs to better prime students and the workforce with a befitting mindset and skill set to face the new work-life realities.

Going digital also requires a strategic embrace of human-centred design. Noted Journalist and social anthropologist Gillian Tett’s new book, Anthro-Vision, is a timely reminder of the value of looking at the business world from a human angle in an era driven by algorithms and data. Facing a diversity of people and cultures, complexity of sociopolitical and economic structures, and uncertainty over the future, those who can innovate fast with empathy in delivering meaningful offerings will win hearts.

Policy support for SMEs aside, digitalisation ought to be an integral part of training on entrepreneurship, innovation management and good business design. There is a dearth of “business of digital” knowledge, as reflected in comments by founders of emerging brands at recent design industry roundtables held in partnership with PMQ. There have been calls for better coordinated policies and support to design and implement practice-oriented learning platforms and go-to-market programmes, to tap regional and overseas market opportunities.

A smart city needs to be a human city. We need citywide digital literacy and integration of design into non-design disciplines from a young age. It is time to step up practice-oriented research, VPET or vocational and professional education and training, and advanced learning, to meet the competence needs of business and industry. Only the fittest will survive, game on for those who can turn pain into gain.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Dogfights in the Skies: Airbus on Track to Overtake Boeing and Claim Aviation Supremacy
Tim Cook Promises an AI Revolution at Apple: "One of the Most Significant Technologies of Our Generation"
Are AI Data Centres the Infrastructure of the Future or the Next Crisis?
Miles Worth Billions: How Airlines Generate Huge Profits
Zelenskyy Returns to White House Flanked by European Allies as Trump Pressures Land-Swap Deal with Putin
Beijing is moving into gold and other assets, diversifying away from the dollar
Trump Backs Putin’s Land-for-Peace Proposal Amid Kyiv’s Rejection
Zelenskyy to Visit Washington after Trump–Putin Summit Yields No Agreement
Iranian Protection Offers Chinese Vehicle Shipments a Cost Advantage over Japanese and Korean Makers
United States Sells Luxury Yacht Amadea, Valued at Approximately $325 Million, in First Sale of a Seized Russian Yacht Since the Invasion of Ukraine
Saudi Arabia accelerates renewables to curb domestic oil use
Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez announce engagement
Asia-Pacific dominates world’s busiest flight routes, with South Korea’s Jeju–Seoul corridor leading global rankings
Private Welsh island with 19th-century fort listed for sale at over £3 million
Sam Altman challenges Elon Musk with plans for Neuralink rival
Australia to Recognize the State of Palestine at UN Assembly
The Collapse of the Programmer Dream: AI Experts Now the Real High-Earners
Armenia and Azerbaijan to Sign US-Brokered Framework Agreement for Nakhchivan Corridor
British Labour Government Utilizes Counter-Terrorism Tools for Social Media Monitoring Against Legitimate Critics
WhatsApp Deletes 6.8 Million Scam Accounts Amid Rising Global Fraud
Texas Residents Face Water Restrictions While AI Data Centers Consume Millions of Gallons
India Rejects U.S. Tariff Threat, Defends Russian Oil Purchases
United States Establishes Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and Digital Asset Stockpile
Thousands of Private ChatGPT Conversations Accidentally Indexed by Google
China Tightens Mineral Controls, Curtailing Critical Inputs for Western Defence Contractors
JPMorgan and Coinbase Unveil Partnership to Let Chase Cardholders Buy Crypto Directly
British Tourist Dies Following Hair Transplant in Turkey, Police Investigate
WhatsApp Users Targeted in New Scam Involving Account Takeovers
Trump Deploys Nuclear Submarines After Threats from Former Russian President Medvedev
Germany’s Economic Breakdown and the Return of Militarization: From Industrial Collapse to a New Offensive Strategy
Germany Enters Fiscal Crisis as Cabinet Approves €174 Billion in New Debt
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
President Trump Diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency After Leg Swelling
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Russia Formally Recognizes Taliban Government in Afghanistan
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Mediators Edge Closer to Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement
Germany Seeks Taliban Deal to Deport Afghan Migrants
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
×