09:25 AM • Debate #1
AI: The death of creativity or its greatest tool?
As AI becomes more embedded in the creative process, is it enhancing originality or killing it? Are creatives pushing boundaries with AI, or are they just outsourcing ideas to machines? This debate challenges whether AI is a creative revolution—or the end of true artistic originality.
debate panellists
Kartik Mehta
As the Chief Business Officer at Channel Factory, he brings over a decade of expertise in digital advertising, sales, and strategic growth. Previously at Silverpush, he launched the international business from scratch, scaling it to multi-million-dollar revenues across 15 markets with double-digit EBITDA. Known for driving innovation and forging global partnerships, he has led high-performing teams and represented brands as a speaker and moderator at leading industry events like iMedia, FOCAL, MMA, and Huddle.
Kiron Kesav
Kiron has been a lifelong student of the why behind human behaviours and a firm believer in the power of creativity. Perhaps that is why everything that he loves doing has been at the crossroads of psychology and creativity (well, creativity does thrive at intersections, doesn’t it?) – be it advertising, short-filmmaking, writing, workshop-design, voice-overs, or acting.
He currently holds dual roles of CSO APAC for PHD and CSO Malaysia for OMG. In these roles, he drives strategic thinking for the group with a focus on developing frameworks & products that solve business & marketing problems across markets. He is also the creator of Creativity Heuristics – a practical hands-on workshop model to enhance creativity.
Stanley Clement
Stanley leads 150 creative young minds across MBCS, focused on branded content opportunities with media partners, digital content that drives performance and engagement, and brand fuelled long and short-form original content. An integral part of the IPG Mediabrands executive committee, Stanley’s ambition is to change the face of content through a data-driven practice built on the intelligence and insight that media provides, connecting brands with people in a compelling and personalised way. Under his watch, the agency has picked up several accolades including a Gold at Campaign Asia’s Agency of the Year Awards, Golden Kancil and WARC Grand Prix.
Syahriza Badron
Meet Syah, a seasoned advertising professional with nearly two decades of experience. She’s passionate about pushing creative boundaries, earning the respect of her peers, and helping FCB SHOUT make its mark in the industry.
Her extensive portfolio spans across banking, FMCG, property, telecom, insurance, technology, and more. Syah has had the privilege of working with some of the most respected brands, including RHB, Resorts World Genting, Spritzer and Domino’s.
Along the way, Syah has been recognised with honours like A+M’s Agency Leader of the Year 2023 and Marketech APAC’s Empowered Women 2023. She’s also served as a judge for Dragons of Asia, Creative Pool, and the Malaysian Digital Awards, contributing to the industry she loves. Through it all, Syah remains grounded, focused on driving meaningful progress, while letting her work speak for itself.
Woei Hern Chan
Woei Hern leads the creative team at VaynerMedia APAC, working with brands like Visa, PepsiCo, Google, Disney, SharkNinja, and Grab across the region. With over 20 years of experience across creative, media, and content, he helps teams craft work that connects with culture and drives real results. In 2024, he was a Media Lions juror, speaker, and led a Young Lions workshop at Cannes Lions, exploring how AI is shaping the creative process. Outside work, he’s a mountain biker, gamer, and proud girl dad—always up for a new adventure, on or off the beaten track.