#14: The Outlier's Journey: From AI Research at Google to Asian Startups and Beyond | Angus Kong (AI Lead @Arta Finance )

🎧A former Google AI researcher turned startup leader shares his unconventional path from Taiwan to Silicon Valley and back to Asia. From launching foundation models at Google to embracing startup chaos in Southeast Asia, he reflects on career pivots, cross-cultural lessons, and why AI won’t replace us—yet.

 

💡 Key Takeaways & Topics:

 

 ✅ Academic Journey and early career at Google

 ✅ Challenges of building and shipping AI in big tech

 ✅ Cultural and career shifts after moving to Singapore

 ✅ Comparing innovation in Silicon Valley vs. Asia

 ✅ Startup life at Tokopedia: unlearning Google habits

 ✅ Future of AI: tool, not threat

 ✅ Career values, personal growth, and advice for the next gen

This one’s for the thinkers, the wanderers, and anyone questioning what success really means.

#TechCareer #AI #Google #StartupLife #SiliconValley #Singapore #CareerAdvice #NLP #LifeLessons #WorkCulture #Innovation #JobHopping #PersonalGrowth #FutureOfWork

🔥 Why People Would Listen

1. Career Inspiration from a Nonlinear Path
   Listeners—especially students, early-career professionals, or those considering a pivot—love hearing real-life stories of people who left "safe" jobs like Google to pursue something more aligned with their values. It gives them courage and perspective.
2. Insider Tech & AI Insights
   As someone who helped build Google’s foundation models, the guest offers a rare, firsthand look at what it’s like behind the curtain of Big Tech AI. That credibility makes the episode valuable for AI enthusiasts and professionals.
3. East vs. West Innovation Culture
   His reflections on working in Silicon Valley vs. Southeast Asia touch on globalization, adaptability, and what it takes to lead in diverse tech ecosystems. This resonates with listeners interested in international careers or cross-cultural dynamics.
4. Relatable Startup Challenges
   Stories from the trenches at Tokopedia (e.g., "unlearning Google habits") humanize startup life—it's messy, personal, and funny. People appreciate the honesty and learn from it.
5. Human-Centered View of AI
   Amidst hype and fear, he brings a balanced take on AI as a tool, not a threat—emphasizing human creativity, context, and ethical responsibility. This thoughtful framing appeals to those skeptical of AI or curious about its long-term impact.
6. For the Underdogs & "Outliers"
   His identity as someone who didn’t take the “perfect” path (non-native English speaker, moved across countries, took career risks) makes him deeply relatable to anyone who feels like they don’t fit the mold.