Official launch (relaunch) of AI Proem

You've asked why. Here's the reason.

Hi all,

It’s been a journey on Substack, and some of you might have noticed I just recently turned on the paywall. Do not fret. I will keep all my writings free, but the switch is for those who have pledged to support my work and wish to support the research financially.

In addition, I may put some multimedia content behind a paywall and provide more one-on-one interactions with Founding Subscribers, but I hope to keep my research and learnings free in general.

Some have asked, "What are you?" I’m Chinese-Canadian, and have worked/ studied in the U.S., Singapore, and Hong Kong, in addition to obviously having lived in China and Canada.

To get a guide on where to start with AI Proem, go here.

Many have asked how AI Proem came about

Guys, I quit my pretty cushy corporate job, staking my 10-year-long reputation on the line to do this. I am living and breathing AI Proem right now.

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Why?

To be honest, it’s a combination of professional and personal aspirations.

Let me tell you a story. I grew up moving between Mainland China/ Canada/ US every four to five years due to my dad’s work. I grew up consistently as the “new kid.” The thing is, in the 90s, there weren't that many ABCs (American-born Chinese as a general term to describe Chinese-looking/Western-minded people), and I was always lost in translation, like in constant confusion. It wasn't just that I was confused, but the people I engaged with would often be confused with me about why I didn’t speak Chinese well despite looking just like them in Beijing.

This wasn’t a typical immigrant story. Maybe my childhood is more of a third-culture-kid story. ANYWHO…

Storytelling was my way of finding confidence, connecting with people, and making sense of the world around me. From Vancouver to Beijing, I competed in storytelling competitions (this was a thing back then), did kids' shows for local TV stations, and found a way to connect with people and seemingly make them like me through these performances.

As I got older, my father’s influence made me extremely interested in business, technology, and international relations. I studied finance and then pursued a career in traditional journalism, which was my dream. You can find a personal essay here on why I left a career in legacy media.

My point is that bridging the culture and knowledge gaps and providing a nuanced understanding of the West and China has always been deeply personal for me. Given my parents and my different upbringings, I literally had to mediate different perspectives about the same issues, even at home.

After years of writing for various publications and working at various big tech companies, I thought, "Heck yes, I want to inject my observations, my opinions, and my findings into my writing and provide nuanced analyses to help investors, policymakers, and innovators better understand China tech/ new technology and the business world. I want to share who I am and why I see the world the way I do. If I could help one person feel understood or feel like they’ve learned something new, that’s a win for me.”

I want my every day to be driven by curiosity and for me to continue to learn and share my learnings. And 自媒体 or a self-publishing newsletter on

Substack

seemed like the most authentic way to allow me to do that. I literally wake up every day wanting to do this, not because someone is telling me to do it.

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What is the goal, and who is the audience?

So, it’s clear. My goal is to provide insightful analyses on new technology, apply my knowledge of consumer tech strategy to frontier sectors, and use my bilingual/ bi-cultural background to bridge the gap for you, the audience. I want to meet more of you online and offline, build relationships and understanding, and maybe find some *spark* in unexpected opportunities.

The readers that have reached out to me (and shown on Substack’s stats) are mostly 1) China-interested people, 2) Investors in the public and private sectors, 3) US/ EU academics, and 4) International journalists. They’re mostly scattered across New York, California, London, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

You can find more of my published writings and insights quoted in articles here.

What’s New?

This change was prompted by AI Proem’s small new milestone- reaching 2000 subscribers as well as being ranked #11 on the Rising in Technology chart. To cater to the needs of different kinds of readers - casual readers for entertainment, business-minded readers for information, investors and industry practitioners to follow the latest developments … I’ll be introducing more guests writers to the platform to cover more bases and share their expertise.

As mentioned, I’ll also be sharing more multimedia work I do outside of Substack and hopefully have more of you reach out and engage in 1-1 conversations, ideas, and opportunities. [Get in touch: grace@proemcommunications.com]

Screenshot on 2025/04/03. Yay!

Background on AI Proem

This is where I explore the evolving landscape of AI and tech. My primary research and writing focus is on understanding the relationship between AI and energy resources, China’s AI and tech sectors, and their relationship with the rest of the world.

I started my career covering tech in Asia for various international publications. I’ve been published in Fortune, FT, CNBC, EIU (Economist), The Diplomat, Yahoo Finance, and many more. Then, I worked for or consulted for multiple big tech companies, including Alibaba, PayPal, Kuaishou, Lenovo, and others. Now, I am an independent analyst and writer.

Why Subscribe?

There is so much noise out there. I aim to filter out the noise for you and provide thoughtful insights that could be valuable for your decision-making, whether you’re an investor, a researcher, a policymaker, or an entrepreneur.

While I can't predict the future, I work hard to analyze current developments and bring my connections and learnings across Asia. So, join my learning journey by subscribing to AI Proem!

Housekeeping

• I try to post (at least) once every week: usually, a bigger deep dive accompanied by a more news-y story.

• I am open to collaborating with other writers and am so grateful to those who have already contacted me.

• As I have kept my content mostly free, I am open to sponsorships that are relevant to the content I produce and/or share values and goals similar to mine. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor - drop me a message on LinkedIn here, and we can explore options.

• I also still offer consultancy services to tech and AI companies, especially if you need help with your narrative and positioning. Again, feel free to drop a note on LinkedIn here, and you can check out my other publication, Proem Communications.

Genuinely thank you for your interest and support!

Xo,
Grace