The latest episode of Bangkok Post’s Mind the Gap was nothing short of a riveting spectacle as it welcomed two digital luminaries to the virtual stage. Representing the experienced guard was Aaron Rigby, the suave Regional Director for Taboola APAC, whose dark navy suit exuded a sophisticated air. Sitting across from him, radiating youthful brilliance in bright navy, was the prodigious 16-year-old, Phonlawat “Beam” Sirajindapirom, founder of the student-powered AI platform, RevisionSuccess. Their discussion was an enlightening journey through the intersections of Artificial Intelligence in business and education, the tumultuous terrain of scaling startups, and the pursuit of enduring success.
Harnessing AI in the World of Digital Marketing
The dialogue commenced with mentions of their respective domains. Aaron, the seasoned professional, confidently described Taboola as the preeminent performance platform globally, forging alliances with over 9,000 publishers, including prestigious names like the Bangkok Post and the Wall Street Journal. For 17 years, Taboola has been deploying AI to illuminate user behavior, refine content strategies, and deliver superior targeting solutions through intent-driven data, transforming the digital marketing landscape.
Revolutionizing Education with AI
Beam, the youthful visionary, introduced RevisionSuccess as a transformative AI platform engineered to democratize education. Chafing against the fragmented learning tools scattered across the educational ecosphere, Beam’s brainchild seeks to unify quizzes, flashcards, and AI-driven tutoring under one seamless banner. However, Beam noted the dual-edge of AI in academia, warning against overdependence and stressing the importance of critical evaluation of AI-generated content. As AI strides forward, Beam envisions a bold, personalized educational landscape devoid of prohibitive barriers—because, in his view, “There shouldn’t be a paywall to information.” His gaze is resolutely fixed on the next decade as a period of radical transformation.
Navigating the Stormy Seas of Startup Challenges
Transitioning the discourse to the trials of scaling nascent ventures, Aaron posed a question to Beam regarding the hurdles faced by young startups. Beam shared candid insights into the difficulties of gaining trust from educational institutions and the intricacies of assembling a dedicated team without substantial funding. Intriguingly, this lack of financial tethering presented its own silver lining—fostering an environment rich with learning and growth. “We really learnt throughout the years. We experienced it ourselves. I think that’s how we grew,” Beam recounted with a sparkle of wisdom beyond his years.
Crafting a Worthwhile Enterprise
Aaron, thoroughly impressed, drew a profound parallel with Simon Sinek’s The Infinite Game (2019), emphasizing the notion that unlike finite games, business is an infinite journey focused on sustaining play and engendering impact. He commended Beam’s early dedication to value creation, legacy building, and team empowerment. “To start a business like that is really special,” Aaron reflected, urging Beam to safeguard that philosophy. The quintessence of business success, Aaron emphasized, lies not in quarterly figures but in the profound impacts on communities, lives, and careers. “And that’s much more meaningful,” he asserted with conviction.
Bridging the Age Divide
As the discussion drew to a close, Aaron invited Beam to impart some sagely advice to budding entrepreneurs with grand dreams. Beam, with the fervor of a youthful sage, urged them to seize the present day: “Action can happen today, and not tomorrow,” he proclaimed. “Age is not a gap. Age is just a number.” Aaron nodded sagaciously, adding, “And in your case, it’s a superpower.”
Their colloquy concluded perfectly, a testament that bridged generational, industrial, and mental chasms. In a world obsessed with numbers, their interaction reaffirmed the axiom that vision, purpose, and action outweigh age. Ultimately, it reminded us that the real gap worth bridging isn’t temporal but ethical—between intention and impact.
I think Beam’s initiative is incredible! democratizing education is vital, but can AI truly replace traditional teaching methods?
AI shouldn’t replace, but enhance. We still need good human teachers to foster critical thinking and emotional intelligence.
Agree! AI can handle the boring stuff and let teachers focus on inspiring students.
I’m worried that AI could make kids too reliant on technology and less on hard work and understanding.
The idea of using AI for marketing like Aaron discussed seems a bit invasive to me. Are we comfortable with how much of our data is being used?
As a marketer, I think it’s inevitable. It’s about using data ethically and transparently.
But how do we ensure companies don’t cross the line into creepy surveillance?
I felt inspired by Beam’s approach to overcoming startup challenges. The lack of funding can push creativity rather than limit it.
Absolutely! It’s about resourcefulness and determination, not just having capital.
But let’s face it, most startups do fail without adequate funding.
The cross-generational dialogue between Rigby and Beam was fascinating. It shows leadership isn’t about age but vision.
Beam’s idea about no paywalls in education is spot on! Learning should be accessible to everyone!
Aaron’s perspective on business being an infinite journey is refreshing. It’s about building, not just financial results.
But without financial success, you’re not going to have a business for long.
True, but when you focus on people, the profits tend to follow.
While AI is great for scaling, I’m concerned it might widen the economic inequalities. Big players get bigger, small players get marginalised.
That’s an important point. How do we ensure small businesses benefit from AI too?
Hats off to both for their efforts, but I worry they overlook historical missteps. Technology can empower but also control.
Aaron’s analogy using Simon Sinek was superb. We too often see business as a race rather than a journey.
I hope to see Beam’s platform expand globally! Imagine the impact it could have in countries where education is hard to access.
Vision without action can be an illusion. Hope they’re not just dreaming big but acting big too.
The convergence of AI with both marketing and education poses an ethical dilemma we must address, sooner than later.
Youthful voices like Beam’s remind us of the power of fresh perspective. Sometimes the best ideas come from the least expected places.
Sometimes, but they still need the experience to actually make those ideas a reality.
While idealistic, Beam’s comment on ‘Action today, not tomorrow’ misses the complexities of adult life. It’s not that simple.
But we need that push sometimes! Being pragmatic shouldn’t stop progress.
Their discussion reminded me how critical it is to balance ambition with responsibility. AI’s rapid growth needs careful oversight.