Cover Benson Yeh, founder, BoniO
Benson Yeh, founder, BoniO
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These tech leaders support young people’s great potential to shape the world with technology
Celebrated on August 12, International Youth Day highlights the positive impact of young people worldwide. This year, the global celebration centres on the importance of digital transformation in accelerating sustainable development, with the youth playing an important role as they lead the adoption of new technologies and drive digital trends.
Recognising their great potential, the tech leaders of Asia’s Most Influential are championing digital inclusion, providing access to tech tools, knowledge and opportunities to the youth. Through government agencies and education firms, they spearhead initiatives for AI learning and tech training in universities and show how tech can also be used to address everyday problems. On International Youth Day and beyond, their contributions ensure that the next generation can harness digital technology for a better future.
Also read: Meet the people who are changing the face of healthcare in Asia
Mahadhir Aziz, CEO, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (Malaysia)
Above Mahadhir Aziz, CEO, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation
Mahadhir Aziz, CEO, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation
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As the CEO of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Mahadhir Aziz amplifies how digital technologies can empower people. Apart from driving investments and supporting tech companies, MDEC promotes digital inclusivity, ensuring Malaysians are ready to participate in an increasingly digital world. Its Tech Talent Development initiatives, in particular, give young people access to knowledge and digital tools so they can “drive digital innovation in the not-so-distant future”.
The Digital Ninja programme, for example, engages students in an accelerator lab that trains their digital-making skills. Meanwhile, its Premier Digital Tech Institutions programme is an ecosystem of educational institutions and industry partners that work together to develop the best digital tech talents. Graduates from this programme also gain access to internships and career opportunities from tech companies. In June 2024, MDEC further solidified its commitment to digitalisation, partnering with the Ministry of Higher Education for youth digital programmes such as upskilling, knowledge sharing, digital freelancing and more.
Read Mahadhir Aziz’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential
Benson Yeh, founder, BoniO (Taiwan)
Above Benson Yeh, founder, BoniO
Benson Yeh, founder, BoniO
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Professor Benson Yeh co-founded BoniO, the education company that leverages technology to improve learning outcomes. Believing that games can enhance the motivation to learn, the firm developed the gamification platform PaGamO, which has engaged more than 2.6 million students in online games that combine knowledge and strategy. Now in its 10th year, PaGamO continues to help children develop future-ready skills while improving Taiwan’s teaching efficiency with technology.
Beyond BoniO, Yeh, who holds a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Michigan University, expands his work as the deputy minister of the Education Ministry. In August 2024, at the Taiwan International Digital Learning Forum, he announced the ministry’s plans to establish an AI University Alliance and develop an AI education curriculum that will help students understand the uses of the emergent technology.
Gaurav Keerthi, co-founderand CEO, Better.sg (Singapore)
Above Gaurav Keerthi, co-founderand CEO, Better.sg
Gaurav Keerthi, co-founderand CEO, Better.sg
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Gaurav Keerthi co-founded Better.sg, the volunteer-run organisation that provides free resources to help people succeed in the digital environment. Better.sg builds open-source digital solutions that empower people to use their tech skills for the betterment of Singapore. Addressing real-world challenges, its projects include Schemes.sg, a search tool for government and social service listings; Checkmate.sg, a crowdsourcing tool that verifies suspicious text messages; Are You Ok?, a mental wellness chatbot; and Bark Bank, which connects donor dogs with dogs in need of blood transfusions.
Adding to his contributions to a more positive Internet, Keerthi also served as deputy chief executive of the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, where he helped the agency in its remit of safeguarding cyberspace and promoting the digital economy. He was also a helicopter pilot in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (where he discovered cybersecurity), the TV host of the debate shows, The Arena and Bridging Asia: The Singapore Debates, and the author of Think, Speak, Win: Discover the Art of Debate.
Read Gaurav Keerthi’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential
Tatler Asia’s Most Influential is the definitive list of people shaping our world today. Asia’s Most Influential brings together the region's most innovative changemakers, industry titans and thought leaders who are driving positive impact in Asia and beyond. View the full list here.
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