logo
A First Look At How Kakao CEO Shina Chung Is Using OpenAI Tech To Reinvent The Korean Internet Giant In Forbes Asia's July Issue

A First Look At How Kakao CEO Shina Chung Is Using OpenAI Tech To Reinvent The Korean Internet Giant In Forbes Asia's July Issue

Forbes04-07-2025
Shina Chung, CEO of Kakao Forbes Asia July 2025 cover
T he tumultuous times we live in pose a stress test for leaders across the spectrum. Those helming businesses are required to make a crucial call about staying the course amid uncertainty or forging a brave, new path.
The protagonist of this issue's cover story, Shina Chung, CEO of Korean internet giant Kakao, opted for the latter. Just over a year into her current assignment, Chung is going all-in on AI, through a landmark alliance with OpenAI, to provide a catalyst for Kakao's growth. The company is gearing up to offer the next generation of virtual assistants later this year to the 49 million users of its superapp KakaoTalk. Senior editor John Kang, who met Chung at her office in South Korea's tech hub of Pangyo, narrates how this could be a game-changer for the company.
Isidro Consunji, President and CEO of DMCI Holdings. Courtesy of DMCI Holdings
Change has been a constant in the five-decades-plus career of Isidro Consunji, a widely respected industrialist in the Philippines. His profile by Ian Sayson and Jonathan Burgos recounts how this second-generation heir took his family's construction business to the next level by scooping up troubled companies—from a coal miner to a power producer—and turning them around. At age 76, Consunji's taken on yet another challenge with the $660 million acquisition by his DMCI Holdings of Mexican giant Cemex's money-losing cement unit in the Philippines.
Another highlight of this edition is the inaugural list of the World's 50 Richest Self-Made Women. The largest number in this group—24—hail from Asia-Pacific, of which 18 are from China (including Hong Kong.) However, despite the increasing numbers of women entrepreneurs, the world's 50 richest self-made men are collectively worth 14 times as much as their female counterparts.
The wealthy in Thailand are showcased in our annual list of the nation's 50 richest, compiled this year by contributing editor Phisanu Phromchanya. Amid tariff and political turmoil, their net worth got a gravity-defying, double-digit boost with the top three notching the biggest wealth gains.
The Global 2000 2025 Jisu Choi for Forbes
An annual exercise of note is the Forbes Global 2000, a roster of the world's largest public companies, now in its 23rd year. There are a total of 765 Asia-Pacific companies among them, with China (including Hong Kong) leading the group. Significantly, all four metrics—sales, profits, assets and market value—used to rank these 2,000 companies are higher this year despite global uncertainties. Their leaders, undoubtedly, have made the right calls. As always, comments welcome at executiveeditor@forbesasia.com.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Analyst Says Palantir Technologies (PLTR) a ‘Huge' Beneficiary of Trump's Tax Bill
Analyst Says Palantir Technologies (PLTR) a ‘Huge' Beneficiary of Trump's Tax Bill

Yahoo

time3 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Analyst Says Palantir Technologies (PLTR) a ‘Huge' Beneficiary of Trump's Tax Bill

PLTR is one of the . Wedbush's Dan Ives recently said during a program on CNBC that Palantir Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:PLTR) will be a key beneficiary of President Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful' tax bill. "I think front and center is massive. I think Palantir is going to be a huge beneficiary." Palantir shares are up over 400% one the past one year, but many analysts believe the stock has more room to run. The US government's Warp Speed for Warships initiative is counted as a new catalyst for the stock. The project uses Palantir's AI-powered Foundry platform to digitally transform US naval shipbuilding. In Q1 alone, the company won close to 140 deals worth over $1 million each, including 31 deals above $10 million. Palantir is also positioned to benefit from its partnership with Accenture Federal Services (AFS) to co-develop AI solutions for federal agencies. Photo by Kaur Kristjan on Unsplash Jackson Peak Capital stated the following regarding Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) in its Q1 2025 investor letter: 'Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) was a contributor as a long event-driven trade. We held PLTR into and through its Q4 earnings. The thesis was that it would continue its beat and raise cadence and have investors chasing the right tail as management lays out what's possible under the new administration in DC, announcing new contract wins. It also benefitted from market structure dynamics with institutions underweight and PLTR joining the Nasdaq 100 index in December.' While we acknowledge the potential of PLTR as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the . READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.

Amazon's Shanghai AI Lab Closure Raises Flags
Amazon's Shanghai AI Lab Closure Raises Flags

Yahoo

time3 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Amazon's Shanghai AI Lab Closure Raises Flags

Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) is closing its Shanghai AI lab after seven years, and it feels like a real sign of the times. The center opened in 2018 to push graph neural networks forward, helped drive about $1 billion in AWS e?commerce sales, and churned out more than 100 academic papers. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Sign with AMZN. That lab was once a crown jewel of international research, but U.S. export rules have made it tougher to work across borders. Amazon is reallocating those resources now, and the move follows IBM's R&D exit from China last year and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) shifting its Chinese AI teams elsewhere. It's almost impossible for multinationals to ignore national security pressures these days. Shuttering a hub that had such big impact shows just how much geopolitics now shapes where and how AI gets built. Why it matters is pretty straightforward. When a major tech player pulls back from a key market like China, it sets off ripples in the research world and might speed up shifts to safer locations. Keep an eye on where Amazon sends its AI talent next. That decision could spark fresh debates on whether global science collaboration can survive in an era of mounting tension. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio

Zoom Auto Protect Unveils the Future of Extended Car Warranties with Groundbreaking AI Claims System and Nation-Leading Coverage Plans
Zoom Auto Protect Unveils the Future of Extended Car Warranties with Groundbreaking AI Claims System and Nation-Leading Coverage Plans

Yahoo

time3 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Zoom Auto Protect Unveils the Future of Extended Car Warranties with Groundbreaking AI Claims System and Nation-Leading Coverage Plans

NEW YORK, July 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Zoom Auto Protect, America's fastest-growing extended auto warranty provider, today announced the official rollout of its AI-powered claims and concierge platform. This revolutionary system delivers instant coverage decisions, seamless nationwide repair shop integration, and record-breaking customer satisfaction. Already recognized on and Zoom Auto Protect is rapidly emerging as the top recommendation for consumers and auto dealers alike. "This is the Tesla moment for the warranty industry," said a company spokesperson. "We've combined elite customer experience with intelligent automation, transparent pricing, and live human support. No robocalls, no fine print—just real protection that pays your mechanic directly." A New Gold Standard in Car Warranty Protection: 24/7 AI + Human Claims Agents: Zoom's hybrid model enables approvals in minutes—not days. Nationwide Direct Pay to Mechanics: Zoom pays shops directly using corporate card systems—no reimbursements needed. Coverage for Cars & Motorcycles: Protection for daily drivers, exotics, classics, and bikes. Transparent Refund Policy: No hidden fees—cancel anytime with a clear prorated refund. Technology Meets Trust:Zoom Auto Protect blends state-of-the-art automation with a concierge-level support team. Consumers can check eligibility and get a free quote in less than 60 seconds using just their license plate or VIN. Rapid National Growth & Dealer Adoption:With over 2,500 dealers signed up nationwide, Zoom Auto Protect has become the preferred partner for independent and franchise dealerships seeking to offer trustworthy extended coverage options. "We switched to Zoom Auto Protect because our customers actually thank us after repairs," said one Michigan-based dealer. "They take care of claims quickly and pay our shop directly—it builds trust." What Makes Zoom Auto Protect Different?Unlike legacy companies like CarShield or Endurance, Zoom Auto Protect eliminates fine print, denies deceptive sales tactics, and commits to full transparency. Their refund terms are published online, and their team is available via phone, email, and live chat. About Zoom Auto Protect:Zoom Auto Protect is a privately operated technology-forward warranty provider headquartered in New York. With a mission to eliminate repair bill anxiety, the company offers flexible, customizable vehicle service contracts backed by world-class support. To learn more, visit: Media Contact:Zoom Auto Protect — Public Relations394872@ | 877-590-9666Facebook: To get your free, no-obligation quote in 60 seconds, visit today. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Zoom Auto Protect

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store