🧙🏽‍♀️ Sabrina Chevannes (EMBA, MCIM)

If you’ve landed on my profile, it’s hopefully because you’ve some content that you like. A refreshing take on the world of entrepreneurship perhaps, a clip from one of my podcasts or perhaps me calling out the giant pile of bullsh*t that pollutes the world of entrepreneurship. 💩

Either that, or you’re one of the ones who leaves nasty put downs in my comment section or DMs and you’re snooping around here thinking “Who on earth is this gobby ****?!” 😅

If you fit into the first category, then welcome! 👋🏽

I’m Sabrina, I’m known as the No Bullsh*t Entrepreneur, because I say things how they are. I prefer to keep things real instead of portray a life of constant success and happiness. 

 Now, I like to consider myself pretty happy and successful, but life just ain’t perfect all the time… so why pretend that it is online?! 🤷🏽‍♀️

I’m also the one who posts the things that you’re thinking, but are too afraid to say them.

Too scared of the backlash? Yeah, I used to be, until I started getting backlash anyway. So I just started posting whatever I thought. 

I’m here for the people who WANT the truth - who want to actually learn how to build a legitimate and successful business. 💪🏽

Those who want to be surrounded by inspiring people who motivate them to always be better. Those who believe in continuous learning and striving to do the right thing. 

This is why I created N0BS; it stands for No Bullsh*t and it’s a place where entrepreneurs can feel safe, supported and nurtured. 

You will see that I post a lot about entrepreneurship:
💥 Things I’ve learned along the way
💥 Resources that I think are useful
💥 Tricks and tips I’ve discovered
💥 My own personal learnings

Please also realise that I’m sarcastic AF and many of my posts will be satirical. They’re designed to get you to realise that life should not be taken so seriously - and we can just lighten up and have a bit of fun sometimes. 

Oh, I sometimes talk about chess and poker too, and how they relate to entrepreneurship. As a Women’s International Chess Master and international poker player, I have a unique perspective when it comes to strategy and can apply these skills to business in a way that gets results like no other. ♟️

If you want to find out what a strategy day with me looks like, then please do drop me a DM. 

But please be prepared for it to change your life.

Founder

Complex Creative is known as the No Bullsh*t Agency, as we are fully honest and transparent with our work and we explain things how they are. No more getting ripped off by agencies because your job is "so complicated" and XYZ needs to be done because it's essential to your brand. 

We provide you with no BS answers and explain our processes throughout. 

If you know someone who may be being ripped off by their agency, feel free to get in touch for a second opinion!

🧙🏽‍♀️ Sabrina Chevannes (EMBA, CMktr)

This year, I’m filled with gratitude, even though it’s arguably been the worst year of my life. 

But it’s because I wouldn’t have been able to get through it without some genuinely kind people who have been there for me. 🥰

This post is just to say thank you to several people that I'm lucky to have in my life. 

Rochelle Hibbert: my legendary creative manager. Many bad employees have come & gone, but Rochelle has always stayed by my side. During the most difficult parts of this year, Rochelle has stepped up, managed clients excellently and helped keep the lights on, allowing me to take the time out that I needed. 

Natalie Connor: the most incredible friend, but also kickass lawyer around. I already know she's a vibe to hang with but LegalEdge handled a legal case for me this year while I was dealing with grief... made it as stress-free as possible, getting me the outcome I wanted too!

Madalina Ana Vasilie and the team at HubHub in Shoreditch were the wonderful hosts of this year’s TEDxShoreditch Salon events. Always incredibly professional, so generous & extremely helpful at every event. We would never have been able to run so many great TEDx events without their support! 

I highly recommend reaching out to them if you have any events you want to run next year. 

Ten Trinity Square Private Club - my favourite place to work, rest & play. I've been a member of most private members clubs in London, but this is by far my favourite one! The team are all unbelievable, the food is off-the-scale, it’s a stunning place to work and bring clients, and their spa is so relaxing! 

I am so grateful I have somewhere so wonderful to escape to when the business is too stressful!

Splento - all the lovely event photos & professional footage I have are from these guys. They even shot my wedding! Thanks to the incredible Gemma N. who values building great relationships with clients (a huge value we have at N0BS, they’ve accommodated last-minute requests, dealt with things going wrong very professionally and always proved they’ve valued me as a customer, which is a lot more than most other companies ever do. 

If you want affordable photo/video, these are the guys to speak to!

Then, of course, all the people who have had my back in the comments on here! I get a lot of sh*t on LinkedIn and so many of you have always supported me throughout the nastiness, checked in with me when things have got difficult and always offered your help. 

You have no idea how much each of these kind gestures mean to me, so thank you so much for being there!

I know there are a lot more of you who I couldn’t run my business without. I may not say it enough, but I appreciate each and every one of you. 

Despite tough times, you guys are the ones who make things worthwhile. 

I think we’re all guilty of taking things for granted sometimes. Why not use this post as a sign to thank someone you’re grateful for this year!

Spread the love xx

🧙🏽‍♀️ Sabrina Chevannes-Denman

“I’m sorry, but you don’t really look very trustworthy”. 
→ This is what someone said to me yesterday. 😢

“And you don’t exactly scream success”

These words have sat with me ever since and I can’t shake them off. 

I’ve been running my own business for 18 years, and I STILL can’t be trusted. Because of the way I look. 😫

I was introduced to someone yesterday at a WeWork, as someone who was “an excellent marketing consultant, who could definitely help grow your brand”. 

But they did not trust a word I said. They laughed at every major brand I worked with saying: “No way they would have trusted you.” 🤦🏾‍♀️

They were more vocal about it than usual, so I decided to ask specifically what it was. 

“Well, you’re wearing trainers for starters”

I was like WTF? Shoes determine trust? And they were Prada trainers anyway haha 😅

“You have to bring your dog to work and you’re sitting in a WeWork - you’re obviously not that successful.”

I chose to work out of a WeWork yesterday for a change of scenery and because they’re dog friendly. 🐶🐶🐶

I was excited that I GET to bring my dog to work! I didn’t think it was a negative. 

It really threw me off, because when I’ve dressed smartly and been in fancier places, I have been told that I’m clearly trying too hard and so that doesn’t build trust. Successful people don’t need to try. 

And when we had our own branded offices, I was told that it was too shabby and it would look better if I was in a coworking space that was modern and new.
 
So, what on earth do I do?! 🤷🏽‍♀️

Who knew trust and respect was so dependent on image?

I guess I understand why so many people BS their way through business. 

My worry is - if I have nearly 2 decades of experience, a portfolio of clients, great testimonials and still can’t demand respect, is the game just completely rigged to those with a better image?! 🤔

IT'S HERE! 2025's Bullsh*t of the Year! 🥳

I've spent a good deal of time looking through the submissions and want to thank everyone who has contributed to this report. 

As usual, the focus is on the BS and not the people. Although, we have some top-class BSers who naturally got their own places. 🙊

What have I missed though? What else would you have included in 2025's bullsh*t of the year? 🤔

Bullshit of the year 2025

[Insert some AI bullsh*t]

Agree?

Thoughts?

Now I'm a thought leader 💪🏽

It’s dangerous to go all-in on one platform, they say.  

But then if something is doing well, shouldn’t you double down on that thing? 🤔

LinkedIn works for me - I have great convos here and get lots of business from it. So, I’m not going anywhere.

But, I've decided to post more elsewhere this year.

You know the frustrations I've had with this platform, and I'm looking for something more real, less stale... less AI 🙄

Think:

✨ More BTS
✨ More day-to-day running a business
✨ More casual, less polished

If you already like what I share here, you’ll probably enjoy that side too.

If LinkedIn doesn’t completely restrict this post for promoting other platforms… let’s see 😅

I’ll drop the links in the comments if you want to follow along elsewhere.

And I’m curious - which platforms are you actually enjoying spending time on this year?

I’m not setting goals this year. 
I’m setting STANDARDS. 💪🏽

I am predicting 2026 will be very different. People are fed up of the bullsh*t. 

Plus, people are seriously running out of money. So, the BS tactics need to stop and people need to start making actual money. 💰

So my content is also going to make a shift this year. 

Don’t worry - I’m still gonna be sarcastic AF and point out the BS when I see it. 😅 

BUT, I will also be providing you with the tools that you need to run your business properly. 

What you’ll see:

🔥 Bullsh*t of the month: reduced, so can make room for research
🔥 2x podcasts, filled with entrepreneurial advice each week
🔥 Quarterly trends in entrepreneurship report
🔥 Research done for you, with actual stats
🔥 Ready-to-use templates and tools
🔥 Video content library

I’m going all in on helping entrepreneurs and small teams run businesses that they LOVE. 

There’s so much generic advice on here that doesn’t help anyone. People are wasting hours on strategies that were set up to fail and getting stressed and bleeding money.  😢

I’m going to provide you what all these “paid communities” are providing for free, right here on my LinkedIn.  

Why?

Because I believe that’s what you do with community.  🙌🏽

So how do I make money?

Well, people still can’t do EVERYTHING themselves, so I will still be doing my Fractional CMO stuff, my strategy days, keynotes and my chess for business workshops. 

Here, I just want to help people sniff out the bullsh*t, not get ripped off, and support their businesses so they can have the life they truly want. 

What do ya think? Am I crazy to give away everything for free? Or should this be how all creators work?! 🤔

There are soooo many bullsh*tters on here, but they’re getting VERY good at persuading people they’re legit. So… how can you tell who’s a fexpert and who’s the real deal?? 🤔

I’ve been doing my bullsh*t roundups for a while now, but the questions I always get asked is HOW I know.

Now, I like to get my Jessica Jones on, so I dig harddddddd into people and speak to a lot of sneaky confidantes. 🤫

BUT, there are also clear signs.

So, I’m starting my How to spot a bullsh*tter series, where I help you work out who is legit and who is not.

Part I: The fexpert with a big following.

When you read this, does anyone come to mind?! 😬

How to spot a bullsh*tter: the fexpert

🚨 Bullsh*t SCAM alert! 🚨

Don’t get caught out by yet another sophisticated-sounding scam designed to scare you into spending money you don’t need.

I’ve now received multiple emails from so-called “legal professionals” telling me someone is trying to register a trademark for my business name - and that I have 24 hours to act, or I could lose everything.

At first glance, these emails seem very official:

⚖️ Quoting the Trade Marks Act
📨 Using an SRA ID number
💼 Linking to what looks like a legitimate application process
⏳ And applying pressure with phrases like “final notice” and “we will proceed without your consent”

But, it's all bullsh*t!!! The truth is:

👉 There is no legal requirement for a solicitor to contact you like this
👉 There is no 24-hour rule under UKIPO
👉 No one has filed anything - they’re just trying to get you to pay them to register through their service

It’s not a trademark conflict... it’s a sales funnel.
Sprinkled with some legal urgency for added effect. 

I'm taking the time to file a formal complaint agains this guy, because he's using his position of authority to scare entrepreneurs out their hard-earned cash. 

This isn’t just one shady person either - it’s a wider pattern of manipulation that targets entrepreneurs who don’t know how the trademark system works. 😢

These people know exactly what they’re doing. They rely on your fear, and want you to panic.

And too many people are falling for it.

Stay safe and spread the word. I don't want people to fall for this bullsh*t.

I've had many DMs from people SHOCKED that bullsh*t happens in business!

"Surely people wouldn't be that dishonest to win work?!?" 😱

Oh honey, I kinda wish I were that naive too. 

I guess I used to be. And in some ways, I still can be. 

I WANT to believe the best in people, but they keep showing up with new ways to deceive. 

A lead came in off the back of my How to Spot a Bullsh*tter post as they were gutted they didn't see it 6 months ago. 💔

In that space of time, they've lost £33k on a personal brand "guru". 😢

Promising the earth and only delivering engagement pods and vanity metrics. 

These are NOT the only dirty tactics being used at the moment. 

Small business owners are being targeted, and I've done a video on some of the biggest scams atm. 

Link to the full vid in the comments below.

I sent one cold email on behalf of my client and earned her £46k.  🔥

I’ve totally got the outreach strategy down to an art, and my results are incredible. 💪🏽

Yes it took a fair amount of research, I approached the right person, and I spent a long time crafting the perfect email… but it was totally worth it. 

BULLSH*T!

So yeah, I won her a £46k client which started with a cold email.  

BUT, it wasn’t just down to me perfecting the email! It was also down to the fact she’s a complete badass at what she does, she has tons of experience and incredible case studies, and we’ve been working on her brand reputation across various different channels. 🙌🏽

So, when the email landed, everything else added up. 

Plus, it took months to convert!! 🥵

Please stop taking things in isolation and painting the picture that suits you. 
Also give credit where credit is due!!

Your job as a marketer is sooooo much easier, if your client is legit and is willing to put in the work too.

I watch around 20 hours of TV a week. 

Apparently this means I’ll never be successful 🤷🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

👎🏽I also don’t wake up at 4:30am to “get ahead”...
👎🏽I don't meditate and shout affirmations at myself in the morning
🤭I love my booze and rarely go a week without drinking
🤭I love cake and crisps and don't take loads of supplements 

According to most of the gurus, I'm a total and utter failure. 

But yet, I feel like I've got a kinda comfortable life...

💕 I own my own three-bed, two-bath flat in Zone 2, London.
💕 I travel abroad at least once a month, plus regular staycations.
💕 I’m a member of multiple private members’ clubs.
💕 I have multiple wardrobes full of designer clothes.
💕 I have a busy, healthy social life and go out a couple of times a week.

To me, this is pretty successful, as I'm living a life I actually enjoy.

To others, that won't be enough - no yacht, no lambo, no giant house with a pool etc. 

But that's why you need to carve your own definition of success. 

The bigger lie is this idea that following a guru’s checklist guarantees anything... it doesn’t. 

I do pretty much the opposite of what they preach and still get great results.

🙌🏽 Turns out discipline doesn’t have one aesthetic.
🙌🏽  Ambition doesn’t require suffering as proof.
🙌🏽  And productivity isn’t cancelled out by joy.

So, I'm gonna go back and rewatch the entire MCU timeline, in between an entire week of football that's lined up. 

But watch me still smash my goals while doing it. 

Turns out success doesn’t mind if you enjoy your life.

Is AI just ruining everything when it comes to entrepreneurship? 🤔

Because I can’t genuinely think of anything it’s made better. 

😫 I don’t understand what businesses do because it’s filled with BS buzzwords
😫 Everyone sounds exactly the same online, despite the “custom GPT”
😫 People have lost the ability to think…because they don’t need to
😫 No one actually has an opinion anymore - they just agree
😫 Creativity? Pah - it’s all just generic AF now

I am TIRED of speaking to robots… and guess what? I’m not the only one!!!

Do you really think that AI is making you sound better? It’s actually EMBARASSING. You sound stupid. You really do. 🤦🏽‍♀️

Everyone can tell it’s AI. You’re not fooling anyone. 

Those who bumlick you in the comments are only doing it for their own personal gain, not because they think you’re insightful. 

Honestly, if you have any self-respect left, go pick up a damn book - read how a human sounds for a bit. Better still - go SPEAK to someone; go touch some grass! 🌾

You AI-shaggers may think you’re being super productive and getting ahead of the pack, but you’re not. 

If you want a real edge:
🧠 Learn how to think
🧠 Learn how to lead
🧠 Learn why strategy is important 

Use the damn tools - don’t become one.

I know it’s super tempting to inflate your numbers and “look popular”, but there are so many ways it’s backfiring and you don’t realise!!

Those who use engagement pods seriously regret it. 

The only thing they have to show is some vanity metrics, but no real business success. 

Check out these 8 ways that engagement pods are DESTROYING your brand. 

The question is - do you care about genuine success or popularity?

8 Ways Engagement Pods Are Ruining Your Brand

New year, same bullsh*t?

We’ve been “officially back” one day and I’ve already seen all the usual posts to “start the year strong”:

🥱 Analysis of your 2 week break: the importance of rest
🥱 2026 Goals: To show off how ambitious you are
🥱 All the amazing things January has to offer
🥱 A new launch: perfect for the new year

It’s all about THEM. Because this is what “personal branding” teaches us.

We’ve forgotten how to serve customers because there’s been so much focus on putting ourselves first.

I think 2026 will be different. For those who want it to be.

Thanks to AI and the 20 new personal branding gurus popping up every minute, all the content sounds the same. 💩

So, I have analysed trends from 2025 and used them to create predictions for 2026, for those who genuinely want to get ahead.

For those who want to do something different to what all the gurus are “teaching” them.

I’d love to hear your predictions for 2026?

As long as it’s not “Optimise your profile and be authentic” 🙄

2026 Entrepreneurship Playbook

Alright peeps - January is over now. How are your goals doing?
How did your launches go?

Worth all that stress in December/January to get "launched" in the most difficult month of the year?

When everyone is:
- Sick
- Tired
- Broke
- Depressed

We're sooooo obsessed with fresh starts and new beginnings that it's blinding us from what the reality is. 

If you're feeling exhausted already and not sure "what you did wrong" with how you've started the year, then please do listen to my new episode of Sniffing Out the Bullsh*t - I will delve into the BS around fresh starts and what we really should be doing right now!

I'd love to know - what's been the best thing about January so far for you?

How to spot a Bullsh*tter Pt 2: The Fame Farmer

You know who I’m talking about… the ones who seem to be EVERYWHERE. 

Getting awards, speaking at events, featured in magazines etc. 🙄

The thing is, the most legit people I know aren’t posting these things all the time… because they don’t need to. 

It’s the ones who don’t have any experience or credibility that need to buy their own credibility. 🤦🏽‍♀️

Ironic, huh?!

Well, here’s my guide on how you can spot these peeps and the truth about their “fame”. 

Have you ever fallen for a Fame Farmer’s PR tactics?!

How to spot a bullsh*tter - the fame farmer

I’ve just had someone apply to work with us with the title of “AI Copywriter.” 

What in the devil is this?? 😱

You do realise you’re not actually a copywriter unless you actually write… right?! 

Oh man, I think I’m done. 😢

Storytelling is the lowest hanging fruit.

B2B marketing is getting harder than ever. After the shift from earned media to owned media, brand content is undergoing yet another paradigm shift in the era of generative AI. Simply generating content with an LLM isn’t cutting it, and brands are at a loss.

How do you avoid having your content sound like everyone else? Crucially, how do you attract the right audience and earn their trust enough to do business?

The way forward isn't more content – it's better storytelling. Stories that meet your audience where they are, say something worth hearing, and sound unmistakably like you.

I work with brands to uncover those stories and tell them well.

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What I bring to the table:

✅ Technical fluency from a prior career in IT.
✅ 18 years of editorial judgement as an independent writer and editor.
✅ Perspective shaped across editorial, agency, and brand roles.
✅ A track record in audience growth, brand building, and narrative shaping.

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Here’s how I can work with you: 

Work with me directly
👉 Consulting on technology trends.
👉 Content strategy and ghostwriting.
👉 Speaking and moderation.

Reach my audience
👉 Sponsored posts.
👉 Brand partnerships.

---

If you would like to read more of my content:

🔸Follow me on LinkedIn.
🔸Tech Stories Blog: https://www.techstoryteller.co
🔸Weekly newsletter: https://www.techstories.co/updates
🔸Clearly Tech Substack: https://www.clearlytech.co
🔸WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbB6pYr9hXF32Ycd4t2f

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You can contact me via LinkedIn direct message or email at: paul@techstoryteller.co

Paul Mah

Received an email earlier this week from a reader in Australia that made my day: "I read [your] newsletter every week."

It sounds like a small thing, but to have a space in someone's cluttered inbox is not a compliment I take lightly.

It has been almost 3 years since I started writing online under my own platforms in 2023, beginning with daily LinkedIn posts, followed by weekly newsletters, and finally Substack.

You probably won't believe it, but I struggled with writing in the conversational style of LinkedIn and my newsletter commentaries. It was tough, and I sometimes felt they weren't good enough.

Anyway, I persevered with only one objective: I don't want to say the same things as already mentioned in a hundred other publications or to recycle tired talking points.

What I write must be sharp and offer unique value. Or I don't write it.

In case you wondered:

🔸My posts are all typed out by hand. Every sentence is crafted for an economy of expression. No nonsense about training an AI model to sound like me or on what I know.

🔸I don't hate AI; I do subscribe to multiple GenAI services and use them heavily. But I'm clear about not producing AI slop, which pushes the cognitive load to readers.

I want to say I am immensely thankful for the connections, conversations, and also opportunities that came my way.

As always, thank you for reading and engaging.

𝗣𝗦: Link to sign up for my newsletter in comments.

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My name is Paul Mah and I offer sharp takes on AI, cybersecurity, data centres, enterprise IT, and sustainability. Follow me here for regular updates.

𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁: Paul Mah. My first 'pointless selfie' of 2026 taken at Vegas earlier this month - Ian Yong Hoe Tan.

Helping growing tech companies with their content and strategy

Digital Edge has announced a US$4.5 billion investment to build a 500MW data centre campus in Indonesia, its largest infrastructure commitment to date.

✅ Join my WhatsApp Channel (one-click): https://lnkd.in/gfZUWPSe

𝟭/ 𝟱𝟬𝟬𝗠𝗪 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀

Digital Edge's CGK data centre campus will be built in the GIIC Industrial Estate in Bekasi, located within the Greater Jakarta area. The 500MW campus has "scalability up to 1GW."

The data centre campus will be engineered for AI workloads and designed for operational efficiency and sustainability, says Digital Edge in its release.

Some key details:

- Target annualised PUE of 1.25.
- Feature direct-to-chip liquid cooling.
- Renewable energy integration.
- Recycled water systems.

Phase 1 will consist of 3 buildings, with RFS dates of Q4 2026, Q1 2027, and Q2 2027. The capacity of phase 1 wasn't mentioned.

The CGK Campus is 40 kilometres from Digital Edge's downtown EDGE1 and EDGE2 data centres, which offer 6MW and 23MW IT load, respectively.

𝟮/ 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲

Like many data centres in Indonesia, the CGK Campus is located in an industrial estate. In this case, the GIIC Industrial Estate spans over a massive 2,100ha (1 hectare is ~1.5 soccer fields).

GIIC provides infrastructure, including electricity supply (500kV substation), water and wastewater treatment facilities, and fiber optic connectivity.

It is not clear if the CGK Campus will have its own water treatment plants or is relying on GIIC's facilities. But clearly, a lot of the heavy lifting is already done by the industrial estate.

It does seem like GIIC was chosen because that's where electricity is available - and appears to be well suited for AI data centre deployments.

𝟯/ 𝗥𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵

Established in 2020, Digital Edge is headquartered in Singapore and has seen remarkable growth since its inception. It is backed by Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners.

Today, the company operates 24 data centres across seven countries: China, Japan, Korea, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. These are a mixture of acquired assets and greenfield developments.
​
📆 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁

✅ Get my weekly newsletter: www.techstories.co/updates
✅ Join my WhatsApp Channel: www.techstories.co/wa

𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁: Digital Edge. Digital Edge CGK Campus.

In anticipation of the growing role of HVDC in AI workloads and data centres of the future, STT GDC today launched a testbed to support its adoption.

✅ Join my WhatsApp Channel (one-click): https://lnkd.in/gfZUWPSe

𝟭/ 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗯𝗲𝗱

Located in Jurong Island, the FutureGrid Accelerator is a testbed to test and refine HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) electrical systems using real AI servers.

By integrating HVDC with actual AI workloads, the goal is to gain competency in managing DC power systems to eventually develop new standards for data centres.

At the media event held in Jurong Island today, STT GDC's Mingcheng Lim noted that AI infrastructure is pressing against the limits of traditional AC electrical systems and how HVDC offers the answer.

STT GDC also signed MOUs with the ITE, SP, NTU, and NUS to provide internship placements, as well as various training on AI, sustainable energy systems, and HVDC.

𝟮/ 𝗛𝗩𝗗𝗖 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀

Though AC electrical systems have served us well, they are reaching their limits for ultra-dense AI infrastructure, explained Mingcheng.

Namely, multiple power conversion stages introduce inefficiencies, with enormous infrastructure complexity in the form of electrical switching, transformers, and redundant electrical pathways. 

On its part, HVDC can:

- Simplify electrical distribution system.
- Eliminates multiple conversion stages.

The outcomes are nothing to scoff at: Around 30% improvement in overall energy efficiency, and major savings in space and materials with less copper and fewer components required.

𝟯/ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗖 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲

Nvidia's upcoming Rubin Ultra GPU has cast HVDC into the limelight. Beyond cutting-edge AI systems, is there room for it in the data centres of the future?

The main challenge for HVDC adoption could be the lack of standards and awareness, Teong Chuan Y., who heads R&D at STT GDC, told me.

Another could be a lack of skillset.

- HVDC skillset.
- Operational know-how.

The second is easy to overlook but is a critical aspect that the testbed hopes to bring in the practical knowledge to be shared.

Will data centres of the future turn to HVDC? Hybrid deployments are likelier than a pure HVDC facility, says Teong Chuan.

In my view, here are two things going for HVDC:

🔸Even without AI workloads, HVDC can help ever-larger data centres cut down significantly on energy losses.

🔸When one considers the fact that renewables such as solar photovoltaics produces DC, HVDC makes even more sense.

What do you think of HVDC in the data centre?

𝗣𝗦: I also looked at the Green Data Centre Park plot, which I'll write about another day. Do sign up for my newsletter so you don't miss it.

📆 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁

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𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁: Paul Mah. Mingcheng Lim speaking. HVDC solutions from some partners.

Micron today broke ground on a new advanced wafer fabrication facility at its North Coast Drive manufacturing compound. Here's what it means.

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𝟭/ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀

First, the news. Micron Technology today broke ground on an advanced wafer fabrication facility that will produce NAND wafers for high-performance storage.

Micron president and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra was in town for the groundbreaking, as was DPM Gan Kim Yong, MTI's Beh Swan Gin, EDB's Jermaine Loy, and JTC's Jacqueline Poh.

Micron says the upcoming facility represents a planned investment of US$24 billion over 10 years. Wafer output is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2028.

Some notable facts:

- First double-storey wafer fab here.
- To co-locate manufacturing with R&D.

It's worth noting that Micron just last year announced an investment of US$7 billion on a HBM advanced packaging facility. They are located side-by-side.

𝟮/ 𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗠

According to a 2024 report, Micron gives Singapore a 10% share in the high-end global memory market. What is memory anyway?

Modern electronics relies heavily on two main categories of memory: DRAM and NAND.

🔸GPUs used for AI require large amounts of HBM which is an advanced, extremely high-performance form of DRAM.

🔸NAND is used to make modern SSD storage drives used by consumers and businesses.

In AI data centres, one could rightly say that one feeds data to GPUs at extreme speed, while the other stores it.

𝟯/ 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺

Memory production is a complex endeavour that requires a massive ecosystem.

- Materials, chemicals, and tooling.
- Wafer fabrication.
- Packaging.
- Testing.
- Integration.

This means working with a tightly interlinked network of manufacturing facilities along with a plethora of suppliers and partners.

𝟰/ 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲

Micron has dozens of facilities around the world, including in Malaysia. In Singapore, today's announcements would bring its investments to more than US$60 billion since 1998, says CEO Mehrotra.

Micron's investments in Singapore have accelerated in monetary terms. Using publicly announced figures:

- 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲: US$24 bil.
- 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱: US$7 bil.
- 𝟭𝟵𝟵𝟴-𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰: More than US$29 bil.

One observation: the new NAND facility will be built up in phases in line with market demand.

In its press release, Micron says it will "maintain flexibility in managing the pace of capacity ramps to align with market demand."

𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀:
4. Micron's existing compound being expanded. Under construction: (Top left) HBM facility (Top middle) NAND facility.

📆 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁

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𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁: Paul Mah

Do you aspire to be a Top Voice? LinkedIn has finally published its requirements and best practices. And oh, you can even nominate yourself. Here's how.

Earlier this week, Admond Lee shared in a group chat a new LinkedIn FAQ none of us had seen before. Here's what you need to know.

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𝟭/ 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲

According to LinkedIn, Top Voice is an invitation-only programme designed to recognise members from a select group of experts, leaders, changemakers, public figures, and innovators.

For the longest time, scant details were available from LinkedIn; almost all information came from influencers who shared tips on how to get it. I'll also note that most of them are no longer a Top Voice.

I admit I originally made getting a Top Voice a goal when I started writing daily in 2023. However, the desire faded over time. Why? I realised all rankings are inherently biased by default.

In fact, when I received my Top Voice somewhere in August 2024, I never wrote a post about it. Accolades are fleeting, after all. Crucially, I realised I gained great joy in writing and sharing.

But if it's your cup of tea, here's what matters.

𝟮/ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿

Here are 3 key points that caught my attention.

(𝗮) Not perpetual

LinkedIn Top Voice badges are assessed and renewed twice a year. If you are invited, you will remain for at least 6 months, after which it will be reviewed and renewed. Top Voice status can and is removed; many have lost it over the years.

(𝗯) Originality

A distinctive voice and unique perspectives matter. How I see this is: If your post can be copied and shared verbatim by just about everyone else on the platform, then it's probably not very distinctive or unique.

(𝗰) Insights

LinkedIn looks for the sharing of expertise and insights. It doesn't matter if it refers to recent news, is a commentary, or an analysis. The key is whether it adds value to an industry or the community.

𝟯/ 𝗠𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

It's worth noting that the FAQ mentions "prominence" as a consideration. So don't compare yourself to the CEO of a large firm or a prime minister and beat yourself up.

Can you use fully AI-generated content and become a Top Voice? While this isn't addressed, readers generally don't like obvious AI slop - and I suspect LinkedIn takes that into consideration. But I don't think using AI to edit will compromise your chances.

I've written for almost 1,000 days now, and it is my belief that real-life influence matters more than metrics, rankings, or accolades.

If Top Voice comes, great. If not, keep writing anyway.

🔸LinkedIn Top Voices FAQ: https://lnkd.in/g9T7HT3E
🔸Nominate yourself: go.techstories.co/KqWA

📆 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁

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𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁: Screenshot

Walk into a data centre campus and you will invariably see massive storage tanks for water. Here's why data centres are so thirsty and why this won't stop overnight.

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𝟭/ 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿

Data centres rely heavily on water. Inside, a vast network of pipes routes water through cooling towers, chillers, pumps, heat exchangers, and computer room air handlers.

Water is lost through two primary ways:

- Evaporative cooling to expel heat.
- As mineral builds up, water is discarded (blowdown).

This isn't new. What is new is the scale of data centres. Data centres of 5-10MW were considered large a decade ago. Today, data centre campuses are topping hundreds of MWs.

Even allowing for better economies of scale and increased efficiency with new systems, a 300MW data centre would consume almost 30x the water of a 10MW facility.

And it is impacting communities. In Johor, there is a temporary water moratorium for new data centres until 2027, as it races to divert water and build new water treatment plants.

𝟮/ 𝗖𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝘀𝗲

Are there ways to reduce water or even do without it? There are. But there are trade-offs.

(𝗮) 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲-𝗼𝗳𝗳𝘀

Dry coolers reject heat without water, but this typically comes at the cost of higher energy consumption compared with evaporative cooling systems.

(𝗯) 𝗭𝗲𝗿𝗼-𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿

Microsoft has talked about its zero-water evaporation design for data centres. I couldn't find technical details for it, but what I found suggests using elevated water temperatures and direct-to-chip cooling for everything (which costs more).

More tellingly, a New York Times report earlier this week noted that water consumption by Microsoft data centres will continue to rise as it builds new data centres. So it's clearly not using this system for all its new data centres.

Crucially, it's not possible to do either (a) or (b) without retrofitting existing data centres, a costly endeavour that few operators will embark on.

𝟯/ 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻

Another way to save water is to minimise blowdown water. This is water that must be discarded as minute traces of minerals and impurities build up as water is evaporated.

Failure to do that in a timely manner can result in scale buildup, which can reduce cooling efficiency and ultimately damage equipment.

What can data centre operators do on this front?

- Treatment to improve quality of incoming water.
- Use chemicals as inhibitors.
- Filtration and other treatments.

Note that this presupposes the continued use of water, albeit with less wastage for much better water usage efficiency (WUE).

I'll talk more about this in another post.

📆 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁

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𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁: Paul Mah. Water storage tanks in a data centre in Johor.

Humans are starting to sound like AI, even in spoken conversations, says a study that evaluated 360K YouTube videos and 771K podcasts. 

Ever felt like AI is changing how we write and talk? It's not your imagination, according to a study that concluded LLMs are changing how we speak.

𝟭/ 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗟𝗠

The paper "Empirical evidence of Large Language Model’s influence on human spoken communication" was first published in Sep 2024 and substantially updated in July 2025.

The paper found a "measurable and abrupt increase" in the use of words preferentially generated by ChatGPT after its release.

The report noted: "These findings suggest a scenario where machines, originally trained on human data and subsequently exhibiting their own cultural traits, can, in turn, measurably reshape human culture."

Or put simply, our use of LLMs has resulted in a "closed cultural feedback loop" where cultural traits circulate bidirectionally between humans and machines.

Indeed, v1 of the report noted how a random sample of 50 manually reviewed videos found that the majority who spoke the word "delve" were not looking at a script.

𝟮/ 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

In the same vein, AI use is pervading written content and social media platforms. To me, the issue goes beyond sounding like AI, but about offering genuine insights and clarity of communication.

Depending on how it's applied, AI has a tendency to muddy or produce averaged-out content that is fluff. And those who are most reliant on it are unlikely to notice because they simply don't read at that level.

This is something B2B firms must pay special attention to. Just because you don't notice the AI slop doesn't mean the experts you're marketing to won't. Some will, and it can harm the brand.

On LinkedIn, I personally use an AI-detector I trust to give me an additional signal about whether a creator is worth paying attention to.

Anyway, there were initial concerns about potential AI model collapse. Now, I can't help but wonder if it is human communication that will 'collapse' instead.

---
My name is Paul Mah and I offer sharp takes on AI, cybersecurity, data centres, enterprise IT, and sustainability. Follow me on LinkedIn for regular updates (direct link): https://lnkd.in/gu5EMKQg.

𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁: Screenshot from report.

The Huawei MatePad Pro 12.2-inch tablet is a premium tablet complete with a full-sized keyboard at an almost-bargain price.

I had the chance to try out one of the latest devices from Huawei's premium tablet over several weeks. My thoughts? It's a stellar device that offers outsized value.

𝟭/ 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀

The MatePad Pro is the premium line of tablets from Huawei, and this particular model comes with a 12.2-inch tandem OLED "PaperMatte" display.

The tandem OLED is gorgeous with up to 2000 nits of peak brightness, while the display is matte through nano-level etching, and is very pleasant and gentle on your eyes.

The tablet itself weighs 512 grams, and when paired with the bundled keyboard case and stylus, brings it to just 850grams.

𝟮/ 𝗞𝗲𝘆𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝘂𝘀

Unlike other brands, Huawei has been bundling keyboard case and stylus with its tablets, which I used together with the MatePad Pro 12.2.

As a touch typist, I really loved the keyboard, which offers full-size key pitch and great key travel. I find the typing experience akin to a laptop, which says a lot.

The Huawei M-Pencil (3rd gen) stylus was adequate for writing, and Huawei Notes is a very polished app designed just for that. "Feel" cannot compare to my Remarkable Pro but it does feel less plasticky than other styluses that I've tried.

For handwriting across apps, Huawei has its FreeScipt as the equivalent to the iPad's Scribble capability. FreeScript worked well in my experience.

Both peripherals are charged wirelessly. The stylus attaches to the side iPad-like where it charges. The keyboard also snaps on magnetically and charges its built-in batteries automatically.

They communicate with Nearlink wireless, which is distinct from Bluetooth. Pairing is as simple as attaching them magnetically to the tablet and agreeing to pair. That's it.

𝟯/ 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲

Like other Huawei devices, accessing Android apps require jumping through a couple of initial hoops. You could either use the open-source MicroG app or the free GBox app.

- MicroG: Substitute for Google Play Services.
- GBox: Virtual machine environment.

In my opinion, the Huawei MatePro line is an underappreciated product range. Priced at ~SG$1,000 (can be lower during promotions) inclusive of keyboard and stylus, it offers a premium tablet experience without a premium-level price tag.

Of course, it's not perfect. Windowing experience trails behind the iPadOS 26 - which is exceptional. And there are no mobile-enabled variants.

The Huawei MatePad Pro 12.2 is sold out in Singapore right now, though a new model should replace it soon. I expect new models to offer similar value.

---
My name is Paul Mah and I offer sharp takes on AI, cybersecurity, data centres, enterprise IT, and sustainability. Follow me on LinkedIn for regular updates (direct link): https://lnkd.in/gu5EMKQg.

𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁: Paul Mah.

Each time we think we have AI figured out, everything changes with new models or ways to use them. Maybe we are all thinking about AI wrong.

We keep trying to put AI into a box. But perhaps what really matters is not what AI can or cannot do, but how we choose to use it.

I had fun putting this together. You can read the full Substack piece here (1,000 words): go.clearlytech.co/E2DY

Here's the quick read version:

𝟭/ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗜

In the classic blind men and the elephant parable, each person touches a different part of the animal and draws wildly different conclusions. None of them are wrong, yet they all completely miss the bigger picture.

Each time I write about the use of generative AI in writing, I’ve received wildly different responses. The reason? Everyone is using it differently.

𝟮/ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲

AI can effectively beautify poor or shallow writing, making it appear insightful until you actually read it. But the cracks appear quickly once you look beyond the synthetic coherence.

I personally think the best content will continue to be human written for a long time to come. Because AI cannot replace the craftsmanship and discernment needed to frame and write exceptional stories.

𝟯/ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵

Here are some ways I use AI to help me get better at writing, not replace me.

- Quickly extract quotes from a transcript.
- Critique my long-form content.
- Fine-tune text when copywriting.

𝘁𝗹𝗱𝗿;

A calculator doesn’t make someone a mathematician; a spell-checker doesn’t make someone a writer. AI amplifies existing capability rather than replacing it.

When it comes to writing, the question isn’t whether to use AI. It’s whether you have something to say.

What do you say?

𝗽𝘀: Sign up at clearlytech.co to get my latest Substack content delivered to your inbox.

📆 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁

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𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁: Unsplash/Randy Laybourne.

A consortium led by KKR and Singtel is in advanced talks to buy STT GDC, which has a network of over 100 data centres worldwide. Here's what the deal is about.

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𝟭/ 𝗟𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮

This news was first reported in November, with KKR and Singtel said to be seeking to borrow SG$5 billion for a proposed acquisition.

On Saturday, a new report by the Wall Street Journal noted that talks are in an "advanced" stage for a deal that would value STT GDC at more than $13 billion (US$10 billion).

According to Bloomberg on Sunday, Singapore's GIC and Abu Dhabi's Mubadala are in discussions to join KKR and Singtel as minority co-investors.

If completed, this acquisition would rank among Asia's biggest data centre transactions.

𝟮/ 𝗦𝗧𝗧 𝗚𝗗𝗖

ST Telemedia currently owns 82% of STT GDC, which it established in 2014 to push into the data centre space. An earlier SG$1.75 billion investment in 2024 means KKR already owns around 14% and Singtel around 4%.

ST Telemedia is wholly owned by Temasek Holdings.

STT GDC has grown rapidly over the years, through a combination of acquisitions, joint ventures, and greenfield data centres. It moved early and adopted a diversified strategy to enter multiple markets, long before generative AI entered the spotlight.

Today, STT GDC has a combined capacity of more than 2.3GW spread over more than 100 data centres located in a dozen countries: six in Southeast Asia, India, South Korea, Japan, and three others in Europe.

𝟯/ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁

As I wrote in November, an acquisition would help build Singtel Nxera into a leading, global data centre player.

Singtel Nxera is currently developing new data centres in Johor, Batam, and Thailand. However, these take time to construct and build up. An acquisition would propel Nxera into a powerhouse overnight.

Moreover, Nxera's consolidation in Singapore with the closure of five old data centres leaves it with just three facilities. STT GDC's six in Singapore would greatly bolster its geographical coverage in the important data centre hub.

There is one more consideration. While the AI frenzy has fuelled interest in data centres, the reality is that many key regions require more digital infrastructure for non-AI deployments.

On this front, STT GDC’s substantial footprint will serve as a crucial resource whether in terms of familiarity with the region, training new data centre specialists, or doing R&D.

📆 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁

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𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁: STT GDC. Upcoming STT VNG Ho Chi Minh City 2 in Vietnam.

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