Grab Launches GrabPay Card

Grab is introducing Asia’s first numberless card in batches, with Singapore launching on Thursday (Dec. 5) and the Philippines during the first quarter 2020, the company announced in a press release.

The digital GrabPay Card is powered by Mastercard and offers users seamless payments integration and an expanded rewards system with a limited promotion giving up to 10x GrabReward points for every dollar spent. With the cashless card, GrabPay is striving to bring financial inclusion to the millions of underbanked and unbanked in Southeast Asia. 

“As the leading everyday super app in Southeast Asia, we are at an inflection point in the adoption of digital payments,” said Huey Tyng Ooi, managing director at GrabPay. 

The GrabPay Card “moves us toward an open payments ecosystem” and is “an important step for GrabPay in becoming a truly ASEAN wallet,” she added.

Regardless of whether they have a bank account, the GrabPay digital and physical card lets people conduct transactions at nearly 53 million merchants worldwide. It is also integrated into Garb’s ride-hailing service and food delivery feature, GrabFood.

Users can apply for the physical numberless card after receiving their digital cards. Following Singapore and the Philippines, the card will be launched in other Southeast Asian countries in the first half of next year. 

“This partnership significantly expands Mastercard’s reach in Southeast Asia while helping Grab to rapidly scale up its global offering,” said Rama Sridhar, executive vice president of digital & emerging partnerships and new payment flows for Asia Pacific at Mastercard.

Grab’s card launch follows its application for a digital banking license in Singapore, Deal Street Asia reported. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) requires digital bank candidates to prove they are on the way to becoming profitable. 

MAS is awarding two digital full bank (DFB) licenses in the middle of 2020 as well as three digital wholesale bank (DWB) licenses, according to a June press release. A DFB will be allowed to take deposits and provide banking services to retail and non-retail customers. A DWB will be allowed to offer those services to SMEs and other non-retail customer segments.

In September Grab announced that it was planning to earmark $150 million for additional research into artificial intelligence (AI). 


March Madness 2025 and Beyond: When AI Meets the Big Dance

March Madness 2025 and Beyond: When AI Meets the Big Dance

As the calendar flips to March, college basketball fans are gearing up for another exhilarating NCAA tournament.

In the future, artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technology could change March Madness as we know it. Let’s break down how the digital revolution could transform the Big Dance.

AI Bracketology: The New Sixth Man

AI is already being used to predict brackets. Gone are the days of agonizing over your picks based on team mascots or your alma mater’s colors. In 2025, AI-powered bracketology is the name of the game. Fans can use algorithms that crunch data points, from player statistics to historical upset probabilities, all at the click of a button.

But beware, bracket enthusiasts. While these AI tools promise to boost your chances of winning the office pool, they can’t account for the quintessential March Madness chaos. You know, the instance where AI can predict everything except the inevitable Cinderella story that ruins everyone’s bracket by the second round.

The Rise of the Robo-Commentators

In a move that would be sure to ruffle some feathers, AI-generated commentary could be used for games. Digital play-by-play announcers would never need a bathroom break and potentially be able to recall obscure statistics from the 1957 tournament in an instant.

Virtual Reality Courtside Seats

Can’t make it to the Final Four? Ten years from now, games might happen in a digital stadium, Forbes reported. With virtual reality (VR) technology, fans could experience the thrill of courtside seats from the comfort of their living rooms.

“AI-generated athletes, inspired by the procedural generation techniques of video game developers … could perform in virtual arenas, exhibiting strategies and plays conceived by advanced predictive algorithms,” Forbes reported.

Just be careful not to get too caught up in the moment with streaming. Wouldn’t want to have reports of fans attempting to rush the virtual court after buzzer-beaters have led to an uptick in living room injuries — especially when that flat screen falls over.

AI Coaches: The Ultimate Clipboard Holder

While human coaches still call the shots, AI assistants could one day be indispensable members of the coaching staff. In the next five years, these digital strategists could analyze opponent tendencies and more.

“Building on existing technologies … AI will provide coaches and players with intricate, multi-dimensional data patterns that dramatically enhance both offensive and defensive strategies,” Forbes reported. “These advanced algorithms will analyze vast datasets from numerous games to uncover hidden trends, strategic insights, and predictive cues about opponents’ potential moves.”

The Referee’s New Best Friend: Computer Vision

Say goodbye to controversial calls. Advanced computer vision systems could assist referees in making split-second decisions, from determining if a player’s toe was on the line for a three-pointer to detecting the slightest touch on a blocked shot.

The Hawk-Eye system is already used in tennis and cricket to help determine fouls, Viso.AI reported.

“This system uses a network of cameras to track the ball and then compares the trajectory of the ball to a virtual model of the playing surface,” the report said. “This system is accurate within a few millimeters, which is much more accurate than the human eye.”

The Future of Fandom

As we dive into March Madness 2025, it’s clear that technology will change the way we experience the tournament. From AI-powered brackets to virtual reality arenas, the digital revolution is coming for basketball. But at its core, the magic of March Madness remains the thrill of competition, the joy of unexpected victories, and the heartbreak of last-second defeats.

So, whether you’re relying on an AI to pick your bracket this year, or screaming at a holographic referee in the future, remember to enjoy the ride. In the unpredictable world of college basketball, sometimes the best strategy is to embrace the madness — digital or otherwise.

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