Staying ahead in Southeast Asia: NTU alumni on AI, biotech, and what it takes to compete

Three NTU alumni at the frontlines of AI and biotech share what is shifting in Southeast Asia – and what professionals need to keep pace. They speak ahead of the NTU Alumni Regional Conference in Bangkok on 11 July 2026.

Southeast Asia is one of the fastest moving technology and innovation markets in the world. Artificial intelligence is reshaping how businesses operate. Biotech is entering a new phase of AI-driven discovery. And across the region, professionals are asking the same question: what does it take to stay competitive?

NTU is ranked first in the world for AI in the ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, and fourth globally for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. Its alumni are already applying that foundation at the frontlines of industry change across Southeast Asia.

At the NTU Alumni Regional Conference in Bangkok on 11 July, they will come together to share what they are seeing on the ground – real insights from real markets, not trends on paper.

Giang Nguyen, Group CTO, Nanyang Biologics - Alumnus of NTU School of Materials Science and Engineering

Giang Nguyen is the Group Chief Technology Officer of Nanyang Biologics, an AI-driven biotech startup founded by NTU alumni.

How is AI transforming biotech and life sciences research in Southeast Asia?

“AI is no longer just producing outputs for narrow tasks. It is helping guide workflows, interpret results, refine hypotheses, and recommend the next step. It is becoming part of the decision-making process.”

The biggest shift in biotech is the move from isolated AI models to integrated, agentic discovery systems.

AI is already being applied across the research pipeline, from target identification and protein structure prediction, to molecular docking and clinical data analysis. More importantly, it helps researchers prioritise better, reduce wasted experiments, and make more informed decisions earlier.

What is holding back AI adoption in biotech?

The barriers are not purely technical. Many organisations still face challenges around infrastructure and data readiness, security, and workflow integration. AI delivers value only when the entire system is built to support it.

What is Southeast Asia’s opportunity in biotech innovation?

The region holds significant advantages: strong scientific talent, clinical diversity, and rich biodiversity that remains largely underexplored. Giang sees the opportunity in connecting these strengths through AI, turning natural resources into structured data, and translating that into real-world scientific applications.

NTU's standing in this space provides relevant context. The university is ranked 32nd globally for biological sciences in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, reflecting the depth of research expertise that alumni like Giang draw on.

“Innovation is not just about discovery. The best ideas only matter if they can be brought into the real world.”
For graduates entering the field, cross-disciplinary thinking across AI, biology, engineering, and business is essential. So is the ability to build the ecosystem around a good idea, involving partners, funding, trust and execution.

Nont Ratthaphong Woraphaithun, Country Head, Nielsen Thailand - Alumnus of NTU College of Computing and Data Science

Nont Ratthaphong Woraphaithun leads data and media intelligence operations across one of Southeast Asia's most dynamic digital economies.

How is AI changing the media and data intelligence industry in Southeast Asia?

“We are no longer just reporting what consumers bought. We are using AI to model intent in real time – anticipating demand, optimising supply chains, and delivering hyper-personalised experiences at scale.”

The shift is from retrospective data to predictive intelligence. Companies that succeed in Thailand and across Southeast Asia will be those that build an AI-first culture – moving from manual processes to automated, insight-driven operations – rather than applying AI as an afterthought.

What does the region still need to address?

“The region’s strength lies in its mobile-first, tech-savvy populations and the massive amount of digital data being generated. But to compete globally, we need to address the trust gap and fragmented data regulations. Stronger, more unified governance and ethical standards will be critical.”

What skills do professionals need to compete in Southeast Asia’s digital economy?

Technical agility is the baseline, but it must be paired with cultural intelligence. Southeast Asia is highly fragmented. Understanding local markets while applying technology to solve specific problems is what distinguishes strong regional professionals from strong technologists.

“Storytelling is not a soft skill. It is a competitive one.”

His advice to early and mid-career alumni: learn to translate complex systems into business value, and communicate it clearly.

Ian Tan, Lecturer, NTU Singapore - Alumnus of NTU's Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information

Ian Tan will lead one of the conference's inaugural faculty masterclasses on AI and the future of intelligent workplaces.

What is new at the NTU Alumni Regional Conference in Bangkok 2026?

This year, the conference introduces two faculty masterclasses for the first time – bringing NTU academic expertise directly into the alumni programme alongside peer-to-peer sessions. Ian's session addresses how professionals can work alongside AI effectively – a challenge relevant to every industry represented at the conference.

“AI magnifies both our strengths and our weaknesses. When combined with domain mastery and clarity of purpose, it can help us achieve outcomes that once seemed beyond reach.” 

In the second session, Assistant Professor Wilson Goh from NTU’s Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine will explore AI in Asia’s healthcare landscape, covering emerging opportunities and challenges.
The masterclass format is designed to be practical and interactive. It delivers on the conference’s promise: insights you can apply, not just ideas to consider. Places are limited.

Why attend the NTU Alumni Regional Conference in Bangkok?

The shifts described here – predictive AI in media intelligence, agentic systems in biotech, and the growing importance of cross-disciplinary skills – are already reshaping careers and industries across Southeast Asia. The question is not whether these changes are coming. It is whether you are equipped to move with them.

The Bangkok conference is where NTU alumni come together to navigate these changes –with peer insights, faculty expertise, and a regional network that has direct professional value. If these shifts are already shaping your industry, this is where you get ahead of them.