Investor, Tech Entrepreneur, Mentor, Coach & Thought Leader Dato’ Seri Ivan Teh Forecasts the Future of A World of AI

KUALA LUMPUR, November 2, 2026 -- The world has gone through many shifts – from agriculture to industrial, to globalisation and now moving into the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI). What was once status quo has to bend to new, ever evolving demands without need for apology. And, with each pivot, everything that was once familiar has shifted to another level, with businesses having to pivot to keep up and cater to new demands.

“Every major technology shift has brought disruption and opportunity together. AI is no different. Resistance may feel comfortable for a while but understanding the change gives us far more control over how we respond to it,” he said adding though that historically, with each big technology shift, fresh opportunities abound.

When quizzed if the maxim “If you can’t beat them, join them” holds true in this age, Dato’ Seri Teh would prefer to rewrite the phrase to say: “Understand it, shape it and make it useful. We should embrace transformation without becoming uncritical of it. Use AI where it creates value, question it where it creates risks/ problems, and always keep the human purpose clear. Do not merely join the future. Help shape a future worth joining.”

Businesses stay relevant when they stop asking, “Should we use AI?” and start asking, “What meaningful problems can we solve better?” opined Investor, Tech Entrepreneur, Mentor, Coach and Thought Leader Dato’ Seri Ivan Teh.

Being one of a special breed of the enlightened few – having immersed himself in the knowledge of this digital age of AI where many others fear to tread – Dato’ Seri Ivan Teh whose journey has, in many ways, grown alongside the evolution of technology – from the earlier waves of digital transformation to today’s data and AI-driven world, has emerged as a progressive Thought Leader – being well-versed about the workings of AI even as it infiltrates society rapidly, without apology.

“What fascinated me then, and still fascinates me now, is technology’s ability to solve real problems and open possibilities that previously seemed out of reach. Over time however, my perspective has broadened. It is no longer enough for technology to be clever or commercially successful. I am increasingly interested in whether it creates lasting value, strengthens organisations, improves lives and contributes positively to society,” he said.

Reasoning that just as technology has become more powerful, so too our sense of responsibility must become stronger too. “The more powerful the technology becomes, the more purposeful we must become in how we use it,” he enthused.

Dato’ Seri Teh, whose background in technology has proven invaluable in predicting what to expect, how to pivot and why AI should be deployed in an altogether unprecedented era of change never before navigated, likens this to the analogy of a movie in which the whole of humanity is only “at the opening or prelude scenes”. He is of the opinion that “although the pace of progress can make it feel as though we are already halfway through the movie” – AI is “relatively early in the journey” stage and is just starting to make the transition towards the progressive future unlike what humanity has ever experienced.

“Many organisations are only beginning to move from individual AI tools and experiments toward deeply-embedded AI across operations, products and decision-making. The larger transformation will come as AI agents, robotics and autonomous systems mature and integrate. This is when systems that can plan – execute tasks, interact with other systems and operate continuously,” he shared.

Indeed, AI has created a level playing field, in that it is not necessarily that only large-scale companies have all the advantage. Hence, who will the future belong to with this shift? It will increasingly belong to those who can combine intelligence with imagination, judgement and responsible action.

“AI has lowered barriers in remarkable ways. A small business, startup, student or independent creator can now access capabilities that once required enormous teams and resources. But access alone is not advantage. The winners will be those who know what problem to solve, how to apply the technology meaningfully and how to earn trust.

“Businesses can create new value, individuals can expand their capabilities, and nations that invest in talent, education, collaboration and responsible innovation can become more inclusive, resilient and competitive. In the AI era, size matters less than the quality of your ideas, your judgement and your willingness to act,” he summed.

“I believe that the future of AI will be defined as much by our judgement as by our ingenuity,” he quipped adding that the human factor should not be discounted from the equation even with the early advent of AI.

“Technology should never be an expensive ornament. (Instead), it has to create real value for customers, employees and society,” he shared adding that he has always advocated a “Start Small, Think Big, Scale Fast” approach.

“Begin with a manageable use case, solve a genuine problem, measure the outcome, learn quickly and scale (to) what works. At the same time, invest in people, strengthen data capabilities and stay agile enough to rethink processes and even business models,” he stressed.

“Progress must remain human-centred and responsible and while society should be ambitious about what technology can do, it should also be “equally thoughtful about what it should do”.

“Business Unusual” In An Age of AI

By all accounts of the word, in a post-pandemic era – the phrase commonly used is not “business as usual” but “business unusual” as the world pivots into uncharted territory of the unknown in an unprecedented Age of AI.

What makes this era significantly different, he reasons, is that “AI is moving beyond routine automation into areas once regarded as the role of humans” – encompassing qualities like reasoning, generating ideas, interpreting information, making recommendations and interacting more naturally with us.

“We are moving from technology as a tool towards technology as a collaborator,” he said.

In smart-city environments – the opportunity is particularly exciting as cities can “become more responsive, connected and capable of anticipating needs rather than simply reacting to them”. Even developers embracing this shift he shared, can create better experiences for the communities they serve. And by “smart” – this must mean more than merely having more sensors and more screens.

“A truly smart city should use intelligence to improve people’s lives – and use data with care, security and responsibility. The smartest technology is not the one that impresses us most; it is the one that serves people best,” he added.

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Source: "Genesis of AI" by Yvonne Yoong, Paparazzi, 27 October 2026. https://paparazzi.com.my/newthemepaparazzi/2026/10/27/12483/

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