Inovatif

Tag: digital

  • Alibaba Cloud’s new whitepaper shows how AI can power sustainable business transformation

    Alibaba Cloud’s new whitepaper shows how AI can power sustainable business transformation

    A new whitepaper released by Alibaba Cloud, Driving Sustainability with AI: A Guide to Partnering with Technology Service Providers, offers a forward-looking blueprint for how organisations can harness digital infrastructure — particularly AI and cloud computing — to accelerate their sustainable journey.

    Based on insights from the Tech-Driven Sustainability Trends and Index 2024, which surveyed 1,300 business leaders across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, the report combines industry data, actionable recommendations, and real-world case studies to explore how emerging technologies can close the gap between aspiration and execution.

    The State of Sustainability: Progress, Gaps and Opportunity

    The whitepaper highlights the growing urgency for businesses to act on sustainability, with 80% of surveyed organisations setting green targets. Yet only one-third of these have committed to science-based net-zero goals. Many companies still struggle to move from commitment to impact, citing gaps in technical understanding, measurement tools and concerns about the energy footprint of digital technologies.

    Despite these barriers, a strong majority — 76% — see AI and cloud computing as essential tools to achieve sustainability outcomes. At the same time, 82% say it is critical that these technologies themselves are developed sustainably.

    From Insight to Impact: Green AI in Action

    Alibaba Cloud is helping organisations bridge this gap through platforms like Energy Expert, which uses AI to measure emissions and energy consumption in real time. The platform has already served over 3,000 organisations globally.

    One standout case is its collaboration with Covestro, a polymer material company. Working together, the two helped Chinese beverage brand Nongfu Spring trace the full lifecycle emissions of its recycled water barrels — later repurposed into gel pens – offering supply chain transparency from production to reuse.

    The whitepaper also showcases Alibaba Cloud’s commitment to low-carbon AI innovation. Its open-source Qwen series models are designed for efficiency and accessibility. Japanese AI start-up Lightblue, for example, used Qwen to build a localized high-performance Japanese-language model with lower development costs and energy use.

    Five Strategies to Drive Recommendations for Sustainable Digital Transformation

    The whitepaper identifies five strategic actions that businesses can take to align digital transformation with sustainability outcomes. First, organizations are encouraged to link their adoption of AI and cloud technologies with specific sustainability KPIs—for example, using predictive tools to optimise operations or monitor emissions across supply chains. Second, companies should partner with transparent, green technology providers that publish energy usage and emissions data, operate on renewable energy, and invest in energy-efficient infrastructure. Third, the paper highlights the importance of embedding security into sustainability strategies, noting that cybersecurity concerns remain a key barrier to wider adoption of digital sustainability tools.

    Fourth, it recommends embracing open and trustworthy AI, such as open-source models that reduce costs, improve energy efficiency, and allow for localized applications. Finally, the paper calls for stronger public-private collaboration, with 82% of surveyed executives supporting more active government involvement to accelerate the adoption of sustainable technologies through policy, incentives, and education.

    A Roadmap for Business Leaders

    More than a guide, the whitepaper is a call to action. It emphasizes that sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have but rather a competitive differentiator and a catalyst for growth.

    For companies navigating climate and digital transformation simultaneously, the message is clear: success depends on choosing the right partners, tools, and strategies to deliver measurable progress. With the right foundation, AI and cloud can power a greener, smarter, and more resilient future.

  • insureKU goes live with first native aggregation service

    Censof Holdings Berhad (Censof or the Group), a technology holdings company specialising in financial management software solutions, today announced that insureKU — Malaysia’s first fully digital, end-to-end insurance and takaful aggregator — is now officially live.

    Developed by its subsidiary, Censof Maal Sdn Bhd, insureKU is built with the consumer in mind and delivers a seamless, transparent, and user-friendly experience for comparing, understanding, and purchasing a wide range of insurance and takaful products — from life and general insurance to travel coverage and beyond.

    Commenting on the service launch, Ameer Shaik Mydin, Group Managing Director of Censof said, “insureKU represents a natural extension of Censof’s vision to empower Malaysians through innovative financial technologies. This service launch is not just about offering insurance online, it is about removing barriers, building confidence, and enabling consumers to make informed decisions about protecting their future. We believe insureKU is a key milestone in that journey.”

    The platform currently features travel insurance options for consumers to engage with, alongside plans to expand into other categories later this year, with an initial list of insurance providers that includes Generali, TokioMarine and Tune Protect. Using the service, insureKU is able to help consumers specify, identify, understand and purchase their specific travel insurance product in under three minutes which is a tremendous and empowering time and money saving hack.

    “insureKU is built to remove the complexity around insurance decisions and give consumers the clarity they need to feel in control,” said Shadhana Sekaran, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of insureKU. “From a single platform, users can compare plans from multiple providers, understand their options with greater transparency, and complete their purchase with confidence — all in just a few clicks. Our goal is to simplify insurance for everyone, and we’re just getting started.”

    More Than Just Comparisons – A Smarter, Trusted Way to Secure Coverage

    Backed by Censof Maal Sdn Bhd’s decades of experience in developing complex financial systems, insureKU leverages this expertise and the domain experience in insurance of its management team, to enhance how it offers an intuitive, technology-driven solution that places consumer empowerment in their hands.

    As one of the earliest authorised participants under Bank Negara Malaysia’s Financial Technology Regulatory Sandbox, insureKU has been extensively developed and tested over the past one year to meet real-world needs. The platform is the first of its kind in Malaysia to offer fully integrated aggregation and digital solutions across both the insurance and takaful sectors.

    To shift perceptions and expectations of what insurance can and should be for consumers, insureKU’s service launch focuses on the first step of its long-term planning; education, comparison, and the aggregation of information to allow consumers to make easier, better, and value-driven decisions for their insurance needs. Savings gained through insureKU’s processes are also passed back seamlessly to consumers, aiming to make insurance more affordable over time.

    insureKU is committed to continual innovation, with upcoming enhancements including multi-lingual support, expanded product offerings, and user-centric tools such as the Need Analysis Calculator and Financial Budget Calculator — all designed to help users tailor their insurance plans to suit their personal goals and financial circumstances, further simplifying and enhancing the digital insurance experience.

    “This is more than a product service launch — it is the beginning of a much needed movement to dismantle the barriers that have long excluded many Malaysians from securing their financial future,” added Shadhana.

    To celebrate the service launch, insureKU is rewarding the first 100 customers who purchase travel insurance through the platform with items from a limited exclusive merchandise offering – making it even more rewarding as consumers in Malaysia take their first steps toward easier, smarter, and empowered insurance choices.

    For more information and to explore your insurance options, visit www.insureku.com.

  • Alibaba Cloud unveils AI offerings to advance Malaysia’s AI agenda

    Alibaba Cloud unveils AI offerings to advance Malaysia’s AI agenda

    Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, has unveiled its latest AI models, solutions, upgraded infrastructure offerings, and AI empowerment program at its inaugural AI Tech Day in Malaysia. These advancements aim to empower businesses and developers in Malaysia to build innovative AI applications more cost-effectively and drive a thriving generative AI ecosystem in the region.

    The event, officiated by YB Datuk Wilson Ugak Anak Kumbong, Deputy Minister of Digital, also marked Alibaba Cloud’s announcement of key collaborations with leading Malaysian enterprises including YTL Power International Bhd’s artificial intelligence (AI) innovation unit, YTL AI Labs , Malaysia’s leading fund management company, Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), and Malaysia’s digital marketing service provider HiSEVEN reinforcing Alibaba Cloud’s role as a trusted technology partner in the country’s AI ecosystem.

    In his address, the Deputy Minister commended the spirit of collaboration, stating “Malaysia is committed to leveraging AI for digital transformation and economic growth. With initiatives like Alibaba Cloud’s AI advancements and industry collaborations, we are strengthening our AI ecosystem and empowering local businesses. Together, we can build a Malaysia that is not just a participant but a leader in the global digital economy—one that is innovative, inclusive, and prosperous.”

    “At Alibaba Cloud, we are committed to driving AI innovation in Malaysia by providing cutting-edge models, scalable infrastructure, and dedicated support for customers, partners and developers. Our latest advancements will empower local talents and businesses to enhance efficiency, scale AI applications, and contribute to Malaysia’s digital future powered by AI,” said Kun Huang, General Manager of Malaysia, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence.

    Powering AI Innovation with Advanced Offerings

    Next-Generation Computing and AI Infrastructure – To support growing AI demands, Alibaba Cloud announced the global rollout of its 9th Generation Enterprise Elastic Compute Service (ECS) instances, set to be available in mid of 2025 in Malaysia. The latest generation of ECS instances has notable performance enhancements compared to its previous iteration, including a 20% increase in computing efficiency. Additionally, by accelerating networks through eRDMA (elastic Remote Direct Memory Access), its performance in supporting high-performance computing, search recommendations, and Redis databases can be further improved by up to 50%.

    Cutting-Edge AI Models and Multimodal Capabilities – Alibaba Cloud introduced the Qwen2.5 series, its latest generation of large language models (LLMs), available in parameter sizes ranging from 7 billion to 72 billion. These models are now accessible via API on its generative AI development platform, Model Studio for businesses and developers to build and deploy AI applications efficiently across various industries, from finance and retail to healthcare and education.

    Alibaba Cloud has also unveiled its latest visual-language model, Qwen2.5-VL, representing a significant enhancement over its predecessor, Qwen2-VL. This open-source, multimodal model is offered in various sizes, ranging from 3 billion, 7 billion to 72 billion parameters, and includes both base and instruction-tuned versions. The flagship model, Qwen2.5-VL-72B-Instruct, is now accessible through the Qwen Chat platform, while the entire Qwen2.5-VL series is available on Hugging Face and Alibaba’s open-source community Model Scope.

    To further support developers, Alibaba Cloud has also unveiled its proprietary AI-powered coding assistant, which will be available for developers in April 2025. The AI Programmer offers features such as code completion and optimisation, debugging assistance, code snippet search and batch unit test generation. It provides developers with an efficient and seamless coding experience, significantly enhancing productivity and creativity.

    AI Solutions for Business and Enterprise Applications – Alibaba Cloud’s AI-driven solutions are designed to help businesses improve operational efficiency, improve customer engagement, and drive digital transformation:

    • AI Doc: An intelligent document processing tool designed to help enterprises manage and utilize their knowledge more efficiently, flexibly, and cost-effectively through converting unstructured documents into structured data, streamlining workflows and reducing operational costs. It leverages Large Language Models (LLMs) to provide a range of functionalities, including document parsing, core content extraction, knowledge base Q&A, content comparison, and report generation.
    • Voice Insight: A multilingual voice recognition and analytics tool that enhances quality inspections, customer interactions, and service monitoring with AI-driven audio and video analysis.
    • Smart Studio: A next-generation content creation platform powered by AI, enabling seamless text-to-image and text-to-video applications to enhance marketing and creative outputs.
    • SmartQ: An AI-driven data analysis module of Quick BI, Alibaba Cloud’s Business Intelligence (BI) platform solution. Powered by Alibaba Cloud’s proprietary large language model Qwen, this innovative chat-based BI solution allows even non-technical users to generate insights by asking questions in plain language, greatly simplifying enterprise analytics experience.

    In addition, to further accelerate the local AI innovation and talent development in the region, the leading cloud service provider has launched its inaugural Alibaba Cloud Malaysia AI Hackathon 2025 in partnership with Malaysia’s digital solutions specialist Agmo Holdings Berhad during the event, inviting innovators, developers, and tech enthusiasts in the region to collaborate, create, and showcase their AI expertise. The program will be open for local registration from February 27 until April 30, 2025, providing local talent with an opportunity to leverage cutting-edge AI technologies and compete on a global stage.

  • ASEAN Foundation and Google.org drive AI literacy forward

    ASEAN Foundation and Google.org drive AI literacy forward

    The ASEAN Foundation, supported by Google.org, successfully hosted the 1st Regional Policy Convening of AI Ready ASEAN at ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, Indonesia, on 12 February 2025. This event marked a significant milestone in the implementation of the AI Ready ASEAN initiative, a programme that aligns with Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to enhance artificial intelligence (AI) literacy and innovation.

    At the convention, policymakers, AI practitioners, and local implementing partners (LIPs) from across ASEAN explored collaborative approaches to developing regulatory frameworks and policy initiatives aimed at accelerating responsible AI adoption, bridging AI literacy gaps, and unlocking opportunities in Southeast Asia, which align with Malaysia’s National AI Roadmap.

    The LIPs from Malaysia are Universiti Teknologi Petronas’ ASEAN Student Association and Kolej Tingkatan Enam Tun Fatimah. Through AI Awareness Campaigns, Training Sessions, Workshops, and Policy Discussions, they aim to empower students, educators, and professionals with the necessary skills to thrive in an AI-driven future. In response to what they hope to achieve through their involvement in the programme, the LIPs shared that they also seek to advocate for AI-friendly policies that align with Malaysia’s national digital transformation goals and ASEAN’s broader AI development framework.

    Ultimately, their goal is to establish Malaysia as a regional leader in AI innovation, ensuring that AI is leveraged for economic growth, social impact, and sustainable development. Wong Soon Ping, a representative from Universiti Teknologi Petronas’ ASEAN Student Association said: “Through initiatives like the AI Ready ASEAN programme, young people, particularly from underserved communities, gain exposure to AI concepts, coding, and hands-on learning, which opens up new career pathways in fast-growing tech industries such as robotics, data science, and automation. For educators, AI training not only enhances their teaching methods but also allows them to incorporate innovative technology into their classrooms, making lessons more engaging and relevant to the digital age. A key focus is ensuring that underserved communities, including rural populations, indigenous groups, and women, have equitable access to AI education, fostering a more inclusive and diverse AI ecosystem.”

    The event featured panel discussions that explored ASEAN’s AI landscape, the importance of ethical frameworks, and strategies to deliver AI programmes in local communities. In Malaysia, AI literacy is expanding through government initiatives and private sector collaborations. The AI untuk Rakyat (AI for the People) programme, a free online course to increase AI literacy, and the Cikgu Juara Digital programme, which empowers teachers with the skills to teach AI and coding, are central to Malaysia’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and driving inclusive AI adoption nationwide. The Ministry of Education also promotes Hour of Code, a worldwide programme introducing students to basic coding and AI concepts, encouraging computational thinking and problem-solving skills among young learners.

    The convention proved timely, as the growth of AI and the adoption of digital technologies will triple ASEAN’s digital economy, growing from approximately USD 300 billion to almost USD 1 trillion by 2030. Policies in the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) are expected to double the projection, boosting the economy to USD 2 trillion.

    Despite the momentum, AI’s maturity in the region remains polarised. In Malaysia, AI literacy is unevenly distributed across different demographics, with many underserved communities, including rural students, indigenous groups, and lower-income populations, still facing limited access to AI training. The digital divide poses challenges such as poor internet connection and lack of digital literacy programs, slowing down the region’s ambitions to become a premier AI hub. This manifests in the region’s varying levels of AI readiness among member states. Singapore leads the ASEAN region and ranks second globally in the Government AI Readiness 2024 Index. Malaysia follows closely, ranking second in ASEAN and 24th globally, a notable improvement from its 29th spot in 2022. In contrast, Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Myanmar remain in the early stages of AI adoption, ranking at 136th, 145th, and 149th, respectively.
    The Regional Policy Convention on AI Readiness marks a pivotal step toward democratising AI across ASEAN. By fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the development of essential policies, the initiative aims to bridge the AI divide and pave the way for a more inclusive and innovative future.
    This convention marked the official commencement of the AI Ready ASEAN initiative, launched in October 2024, which aims to enhance AI literacy in ASEAN member states. With a USD 5 million grant funded by Google.org, the 2.5-year programme aims to equip 5.5 million individuals with essential AI skills, with Malaysia being a key player in this transformative initiative.

    Over the two-day convention, the LIPs participated in a hands-on masterclass led by Code.org, which explored foundational AI concepts and practical strategies to overcome challenges in AI education. The experience was further enriched by a visit to Google Indonesia’s office, where participants witnessed real-world AI applications, gaining valuable insights and deepening their technical understanding of machine learning.

    Key stakeholders include H.E. Prof. Stella Christie, the Vice Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology of Indonesia, H.E. Nararya S. Soeprapto, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, H.E. Ambassador Bovonethat Douangchak, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the ASEAN Foundation and Permanent Representative of Lao PDR to ASEAN, Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation, and Putri Alam, Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy at Google Indonesia.

  • Malaysia faced 27.9 million online threats in 2024

    Malaysia has moved up the global rankings for web threats, a stark reminder of the escalating cyber dangers lurking online. According to the latest Kaspersky Security Network (KSN) report, Malaysia now ranks 30th worldwide, with a staggering 27.9 million web threats detected and blocked by the global cybersecurity company in 2024, a 4% increase compared to the previous year. This alarming data underscores the critical need for enhanced cybersecurity measures to protect individuals and businesses in the country.

    “The rise in web threats detected in Malaysia is a serious concern. Our latest data shows us the growing sophistication of cybercriminals and the urgent need for individuals and businesses to continuously enhance they safeguards against cyberthreats. Neglecting cybersecurity best practices can have severe consequences, from data breaches and financial losses to reputational damage, and event disruption of critical services,” says Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky.

    The Digital Communications Ministry highlighted that no single entity could address the cybersecurity challenges that Malaysia faces today. The threats are complex, multifaceted and evolve at a pace that demands collective action. The ministry views public and private partnerships as an important synergy to address the cybersecurity concerns.

    Malaysia is the current overall coordinator of the ASEAN Regional Computer Emergency Response Team (ASEAN Regional CERT), with the aim to build a more resilient digital ecosystem for all. The country is also in the midst of joining the Budapest Convention and the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime, demonstrating the country’s commitment to combat cybercrime both locally and internationally.

    “The Malaysian government’s ongoing efforts to combat cyberthreats are commendable. These steps are crucial in raising public awareness and strengthening the country’s cyber defenses. Staying safe online requires a multi-layered approach, strong passwords, updating software, being vigilant against phishing attempts are just the first steps. You need to utilize robust cybersecurity solutions, so you can significantly enhance your protection against cyberthreats. It is troubling to learn that approximately RM5 billion in losses occurred due to cybercrimes from 2020 to 2024. We urge Malaysians to continue to prioritize online safety and take proactive measures as soon as possible,” adds Yeo.

    Kaspersky experts advice the following for users to reduce some of the online risks:

    • Use strong and unique passwords. The weakest link is often the entry point to the platform, which is the password. This should be unique and not one that you re-use on multiple social media platforms. If you struggle to come up with a unique password, consider using a password manager to generate a unique and strong password.
    • Two-factor authentication. While many people choose to use SMS or email as the source of the second verification, Kaspersky recommend using an authenticator app.
    • People you do not know, do not click to read the direct message. There is no reason for you to assume that you should click on any link sent from people you do not know. It may be a goal to chase the influencer wagon and make fast cash, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
    • Talk to your kids on basic safety on social media networks.
  • Alibaba Cloud unveils ACS for international customers to revolutionise workload deployment

    Alibaba Cloud unveils ACS for international customers to revolutionise workload deployment

    Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group announces the international debut of its innovative Alibaba Cloud Container Compute Service (ACS), designed to simplify and optimise workload deployment using container technology. ACS will be available for international customers starting from January 2025.

    ACS, which uses Kubernetes as its interface, offers a serverless container service that provides compute resources compliant with container standards. This new product eliminates the need for users to manage underlying nodes and clusters, significantly reducing costs and technical barriers associated with container deployment. It also allows customers to pay-as-you-go, helping them avoid over allocated, and scale on demand, enabling the optimisation of costs during periods of high and low usage.

    “As the deployment of workloads on container technology becomes increasingly prevalent, we developed a more accessible solution that would anticipate the evolving needs of our customers,” said Jiangwei Jiang, General Manager of Infrastructure Products, Alibaba Cloud. “ACS represents a big step forward in how businesses can utilise container technology, offering cost-efficiency and ease of use to support businesses unleashing productivity.”

    Container technology, a form of virtualisation that bundles programmes with everything they need to run, makes it easy to deploy applications consistently across different hardware and systems. The benefits in terms of efficiency and resource optimisation have made containers a mainstream development method.

    According to Gartner, the container management market has experienced over 20% growth in the past year, with projections indicating a market value of US$4.5 billion by 2028. Gartner also predicts that by 2027, more than 75% of all AI deployments will utilise container technology as the underlying compute environment.

    ACS is designed to overcome the complexities associated with Kubernetes configuration, resource management, and on-demand elasticity. By integrating containers and resources based on Alibaba Cloud’s Shenlong architecture to allow maximum scaling of computing resources, ACS offers a solution capable of reducing computing power costs by up to 55%.

    “ACS has transformed the container orchestration service into a comprehensive computing product. Users benefit by paying only for the compute capacity that they use,” Jiang added.

    This product is fully compatible with Kubernetes technologies and supports seamless migration to the cloud for both open-source ecosystems as well as self-developed products. This is notable in that users can continue using familiar Kubernetes management methods and file formats. There is also no need to pre-purchase nodes so users can simply declare their workload requirements and ACS will match them with the necessary underlying compute resources. This minimises the demand for additional costs and human resources in infrastructure maintenance.

    Alibaba Cloud Container Service supports different architectures and can be deployed in multiple cloud environment including public cloud, private cloud and hybrid cloud. Currently, Alibaba Cloud Container Service has been applied across a wide range of industries.