For years, the Android ecosystem has grappled with the issue of short-lived software support, leaving users with devices that quickly become outdated, both in terms of features and security. While Apple has consistently provided lengthy software updates for its iPhones, Android manufacturers have struggled to match this commitment. This disparity has not only fueled concerns about e-waste but also raised questions about the long-term value of Android devices.
Source: Honor / The Launch of the Honor Alpha Plan at MWC 2025 in Barcelona
In this context, Honor’s recent announcement of a 7-year software support pledge for its Magic series marks a watershed moment. It’s a clear signal that the company is taking software longevity seriously, aligning itself with the likes of Google and Samsung. This move is not just about keeping devices running; it’s about providing users with a sense of security and a long-term investment.
Honor’s commitment to 7 years of OS and security updates effectively puts them on par with the industry leaders, signalling a shift towards a more sustainable and user-friendly approach. The timing of this announcement is particularly noteworthy. With consumers increasingly holding onto their devices for longer periods, the demand for extended software support has grown. Honor’s move addresses this demand, positioning the Magic series as a viable long-term investment. This is a crucial differentiator in a market saturated with options, allowing Honor to carve out a niche for itself among users who prioritize longevity and security.
It’s important to note that Honor has now joined the ranks of Google and Samsung in offering 7-year support, putting the company ahead of other Chinese manufacturers, who typically cap out at around four years of updates. This puts Honor in a unique position, bridging the gap between the extended support offered by industry giants and the shorter timelines of its domestic competitors.
The Alpha Plan – An Investment in Developing AI Holistically
But the 7-year support is just one piece of the puzzle. Honor’s Alpha Plan, a comprehensive AI strategy, further underscores the company’s commitment to innovation.4 The $10 billion investment in global AI development signals Honor’s ambition to become a leader in the AI-powered smartphone space. The Alpha Plan aims to integrate AI seamlessly into the user experience, enhancing everything from camera performance to productivity tools.5 This strategic focus on AI aligns with the broader industry trend, as manufacturers race to develop intelligent features that anticipate user needs.
Source: Honor / CEO, James Li, delivering the announcement of Honor’s AIpha Plan
The Alpha Plan is not merely about adding gimmicky AI features. It’s about creating a holistic AI ecosystem that enhances the functionality of Honor devices. This includes advancements in on-device AI processing, allowing for faster and more efficient execution of AI tasks. The company’s focus on privacy and security is also evident, with a commitment to ensuring that AI processing is handled responsibly.
Honor’s aggressive push into AI and software support is a clear indication of its intent to compete with the established players in the Android market. By addressing the long-standing issue of software longevity and embracing the transformative potential of AI, Honor is positioning itself as a forward-thinking and user-centric brand.
In the past, one of the main criticisms levelled at Honor, and other Chinese manufacturers like Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi, was the relatively short period of software support. This has caused some to be wary of investing in those devices. Now, Honor has finally addressed this issue, which is a huge win for them.
Most employees have had moments when workplace technology lets them down, and they wish they were someone with the ‘magic touch’ to make tech work and fix any problem. But what if IT departments had a helping hand that could give everyone the ‘magic touch’?
Ironically, many of the apps that are meant to make life simpler for employees are doing the exact opposite. In Malaysia, the digital skills gap among employees presents a significant challenge. A survey revealed that 74.5% of respondents identified a substantial gap between entry-level and advanced digital skills required in the workplace. This puts a burden on IT administrators to simplify the digital landscape wherever possible, removing hurdles and supporting employees in their day-to-day work.
Delivering the Magic Touch
For system administrators and people who are naturally ‘good with tech’, the ‘magic touch’ often comes from years of experience, technical qualifications and a willingness to try everything until something works. But can the digital workplace be delivered in a way which makes all employees feel like they have that ‘magic touch’ too?
AI-powered workplace solutions offer ways to make employees feel less frustrated with their technology while delivering a more personalized service. Harnessing AI ensures that IT teams are not overwhelmed with demands from colleagues. For the end user, generative AI chatbots let them make device decisions using plain language, with AI-infused device intelligence able to predict and fix software issues before they cause major problems, making managing and using their workplace IT feel effortless.
Harnessing the Power of AI
The power of AI can help smooth over the sometimes counterintuitive processes that seasoned IT professionals are so accustomed to. At Lenovo, we have first-hand experience of these tools’ power as we use them ourselves. For example, our Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition that is operating on Windows 11 Pro. Seize the moment with the security to thrive anywhere and the performance to meet your boldest goals. Windows 11 Pro devices are easy to use and manage, with AI-enhanced efficiency and compatibility with existing technology including mission-critical apps and hardware. Devices with AI-guided knowledge bases can deliver ‘self-help’ and ‘self-heal’ solutions, regardless of whether employees are working at 10 am or 2 am. It is a bit like having your very own IT manager available on-call 24/7. For hybrid workforces, this powerful, instant support can be a game-changer, meaning that minor IT problems never progress to the point where they stop people working.
For service desk workers, AI can also bring powerful analytics, increasing the number of issues that can be solved pre-emptively, remotely and without the need for a ticket to be raised. This simplifies the day-to-day work of IT service desk teams, with an easy-to-use ‘single pane of glass’ portal delivering actionable insights in an easy-to-understand fashion.
Generative AI-powered platforms also anticipate the management of critical tasks to keep environments secure, while persona-based configuration means IT leaders can rapidly tailor suites of apps and services for different types of users. IT teams can ensure their colleagues get to work faster with the right tools at their fingertips, offering seamless and personalized digital experiences, removing hassle on both sides and freeing up IT teams to work on projects that will drive improvements and efficiencies across the workplace. In fact, 83% of CIOs expect AI to drive productivity gains within the next one to two years, further highlighting the transformative potential of AI in optimizing workflows and enhancing productivity.
Solving Problems Before They Happen
AI is also being used to predict common problems before they happen. This means devices are configured and patched so that employees always have the most up-to-date, secure and stable version of the software they need. IT managers can be freed from chasing seemingly endless day-to-day IT issues, and focus on transforming the way their businesses use technology. Managers are provided with proactive device insights and AI-driven predictive analytics which help keep devices running at peak performance, while they focus on the bigger picture and employees have a device that ‘just works’.
A Smarter Workplace
The workplace has changed beyond recognition in recent years, and today’s hybrid employees are switching between dozens of apps and learning new skills. Choosing the right managed service, such as Lenovo’s Digital Workplace Solutions, provides an AI-powered helping hand to both frontline employees and the IT managers helping to oversee their devices. For employees, this means personalized services and IT problems that are solved first time, making them feel like they have that ‘magic touch’ with their work PC. For IT departments, this spells a shift away from reacting to problems to anticipating them, and the freedom to focus on transforming the business through new technologies such as AI. Most importantly, more people benefit from the ‘magic touch’ and minimize downtime because of common IT issues.
The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G has arrived, and it’s poised to redefine the midrange smartphone market! Priced under RM2,000, this phone packs near-flagship specifications and Xiaomi’s HyperOS, offering incredible value. Powered by the Snapdragon 7s processor, the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G handles any task with ease. Plus, it’s Xiaomi’s most durable phone yet, featuring internal hardening, shockproofing, and IP68 dust and water resistance.
In this deep dive, techenttv breaks down the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G, exploring its key features including the impressive 200MP Isocell HP3 sensor, software features, and overall value.
As we move deeper into 2025, the intersection of technology and human experience is evolving at an unprecedented pace. The Accenture Life Trends 2025 report sheds light on key shifts in consumer behaviour, while recent insights from industry experts further deepen our understanding of how AI, digital personalization, and trust are reshaping daily interactions. With digital fatigue on the rise and younger generations redefining human connection, AI is playing an increasingly central role in personalization. To stay relevant, businesses must navigate these shifts carefully, ensuring that technology enhances rather than diminishes meaningful interactions.
Source: Accenture
“Organizations are increasingly challenged by scams, misinformation, and deepfakes, fueled by generative AI advancements“
Sourabh Agrawal, Country GTM Lead, Malaysia, Accenture Song
Rebuilding Trust in an AI-Driven World
Generative AI has revolutionized content creation, but it has also contributed to misinformation, scams, and deepfakes, leading to a growing digital trust crisis. For instance, in 2024, a widely circulated deepfake video falsely depicted a prominent public figure endorsing a fraudulent investment scheme, causing significant financial losses. Incidents like these highlight the urgent need for stronger digital verification measures. In Malaysia, 37% of consumers reported experiencing deepfake-related scams in 2024, highlighting the urgency of this issue.
To combat distrust, businesses must integrate authenticity verification tools, employ advanced deepfake detection, and prioritize transparent communication. Sourabh Agrawal, Country GTM Lead, Malaysia, Accenture Song, emphasizes that “clear customer verification methods should be integrated into communications, commerce, and product design to create trust at every touchpoint.” Companies must not only verify their digital interactions but also educate consumers on recognizing authentic content. By embedding trust at every touchpoint, businesses can mitigate the growing hesitation consumers feel in digital spaces.
The Personalization Paradox: Convenience vs. Ethical Concerns
Consumers increasingly demand hyper-personalized experiences, yet they are more aware than ever of the risks associated with data collection and AI-driven recommendations. Personalization must evolve to be ethically sound, inclusive, and privacy-focused.
Sourabh Agrawal explains that “businesses must embed trust, inclusivity, and transparency into every customer experience” to ensure personalization strategies remain ethical. To achieve this, businesses must:
Collect only essential data while ensuring strong security measures.
Design AI models that are fair and unbiased, eliminating unintended discrimination.
Balance personalization with human oversight, ensuring AI enhances experiences rather than replacing human touchpoints.
These steps build deeper trust, ensuring that customers feel valued and respected rather than surveilled or manipulated.
Rising Consumer Expectations: The Need for Speed and Relevance
Consumer impatience is growing rapidly, fueled by both digital transformation and shifting societal expectations. The demand for instant gratification, shaped by faster service models and on-demand solutions, is redefining traditional industries. The demand for instant gratification, shaped by faster service models and on-demand solutions, has reshaped industries like healthcare and finance, where patience was traditionally required.
In Malaysia, 77% of people prioritize quick results, disrupting industries that traditionally require patience, such as healthcare and finance. Influencers are beginning to shape conversations around health, wealth and personal growth. A huge shift from their focus on lifestyle content. This shift pressures brands to deliver faster, more relevant solutions or risk losing customers to digital communities providing alternative guidance.
Businesses must adapt by leveraging AI to streamline experiences while maintaining genuine human connections. Agrawal notes that “77% of Malaysians prioritize quick outcomes, forcing businesses to adapt swiftly and ensure AI-driven experiences remain meaningful and relevant.” Rapid service delivery must be balanced with credibility, ensuring speed does not come at the cost of trust.
Digital Fatigue: AI’s Role in Restoring Balance
While digital engagement remains dominant, many consumers are deliberately seeking simplicity, opting for experiences that balance convenience with authenticity. In Malaysia, 38% of respondents cited a positive experience with digital interactions, while an equal percentage appreciated the “joy of missing out”—intentionally stepping away from digital spaces. This highlights a growing tension between convenience and the desire for real-world, sensory-rich experiences.
Source: Accenture
“Personalization should reflect a brand’s commitment to human-centric experiences, creating value for customers by addressing their unique needs while respecting their individuality.”
Sourabh Agrawal, Country GTM Lead, Malaysia, Accenture Song
Agrawal highlights that “38% of Malaysians attributed their most enjoyable experience to something digital, while an equal percentage appreciated the ‘joy of missing out’ on technology.” AI can address digital fatigue by:
Streamlining interactions rather than overwhelming users with excessive notifications.
Maintaining a balance between automation and human touch, ensuring personalization enhances rather than dominates interactions.
Offering customized digital detox options, helping users engage more intentionally with technology.
The traditional measure of digital success—time spent on platforms—is becoming outdated. As consumers embrace digital detoxes and mindful engagement, brands must explore alternative strategies such as:
Retail activations and on-the-ground brand experiences.
Engagement through television, streaming, and offline events.
Measuring success through customer sentiment, loyalty, and trust rather than just screen time.
Younger Generations are Reshaping Human Connection
The way younger consumers engage with technology is significantly different from previous generations, shaped by both rapid technological advancements and evolving societal values. While they embrace digital convenience, they also seek deeper, more authentic interactions, balancing online and offline experiences in new ways. In Malaysia, 63% of young adults between the ages of 18-24 years believe social media plays a crucial role in shaping their identity, compared to just 33% of those over 55 years.
Source: Accenture
“A growing number of individuals are embracing digital detoxes, stepping away from social media and digital distractions to enhance mental clarity and emotional well-being. This shift, rooted in mindfulness, highlights the importance of intentional breaks from technology.“
Sourabh Agrawal, Country GTM Lead, Malaysia, Accenture Song
While digital platforms provide empowerment, younger consumers are also driving a shift towards physical, finite experiences. Trends like disposable cameras and nostalgia-driven products reflect a growing preference for tangible, real-world interactions over purely digital ones. Brands must rethink personalization strategies, incorporating elements that resonate beyond the screen.
The Future of Human-Led Innovation in an AI-Dominated Era
As automation and AI continue to evolve, human oversight remains critical. Key opportunities for human-led innovation include:
Customer service: AI can handle routine inquiries, but human agents are essential for emotionally complex interactions.
Healthcare: AI supports diagnostics, but human expertise ensures empathy and nuanced care.
Ethical AI governance: Businesses must ensure AI-driven processes remain transparent, fair, and responsible.
For businesses, the future lies in using AI as an enabler rather than a replacement, ensuring technology complements rather than overshadows human intuition and creativity. Agrawal suggests that “the greatest opportunities for human-led innovation lie in blending AI capabilities with human insights to create more personalized, authentic experiences.”—leveraging technology to augment human intuition, creativity, and ethical decision-making.
Reshaping the AI Narrative: Human Empowerment Over Automation
Consumers are wary of AI’s potential to replace human roles, foster misinformation, and erode trust. Businesses must counteract this scepticism by positioning AI as a tool for human empowerment.
This requires:
Transparency in AI deployment, ensuring customers understand how their data is used.
Ethical AI implementation, reinforcing AI as a support mechanism rather than an authoritative decision-maker.
Investment in AI for consumer protection, using technology to detect fraud and enhance safety.
By aligning AI with human values, companies can reshape the narrative and reinforce the role of technology as a trust-building, experience-enhancing force.
The Road Ahead is About Embracing Balance and Augmenting Human Experiences
The evolving relationship between technology and human experience is complex, balancing personalization, trust, and digital well-being. Businesses must find ways to harness AI’s power without eroding authenticity, ensuring that digital experiences enhance rather than replace meaningful human interactions. As younger generations drive shifts in engagement and expectations, companies that embrace transparency, ethical AI, and a mix of digital and real-world strategies will be the ones that foster lasting consumer loyalty. Businesses that prioritize ethical AI, meaningful interactions, and consumer-centric innovation will be best positioned to thrive in 2025 and beyond.
Ultimately, technology should serve humanity, enhancing rather than replacing real-world experiences and meaningful connections. Companies that embrace this philosophy will lead the future of digital transformation while preserving the essential human connection at its core.
OpenAI has unveiled o3-mini, its latest language model designed for cost-effective reasoning, available now in both ChatGPT and the API. This model represents a significant advancement in the capabilities of smaller language models, excelling in STEM fields like science, math, and coding, while maintaining the low cost and reduced latency of its predecessor, o1-mini.
o3-mini isn’t just a scaled-down version of a larger model. It’s a purpose-built reasoning model, optimized for tasks requiring logical deduction and problem-solving, particularly in technical domains. OpenAI highlights its exceptional STEM capabilities, making it a powerful tool for tackling complex scientific, mathematical, and coding challenges. This focus differentiates it from models primarily designed for text generation or code completion, positioning o3-mini as a specialized instrument for technical tasks.
A key feature of o3-mini is its support for developer-centric functionalities, including function calling, structured outputs, and developer messages. These features make it production-ready, allowing developers to seamlessly integrate it into real-world applications. Like o1-mini and o1-preview, o3-mini also supports streaming, enabling dynamic and interactive experiences. Furthermore, developers can choose from low, medium, and high reasoning effort options, providing flexibility to optimize for speed or accuracy depending on the specific use case. It’s important to note that o3-mini does not support vision capabilities; for visual reasoning tasks, developers should continue using the o1 model. o3-mini is currently being rolled out in the Chat Completions API, Assistants API, and Batch API to select developers in API usage tiers 3-5.
ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Pro users gain immediate access to o3-mini, with Enterprise access following in February. o3-mini will replace o1-mini in the model picker, offering higher rate limits and lower latency. Specifically, the rate limit for Plus and Team users triples from 50 messages per day with o1-mini to 150 messages per day with o3-mini. Adding another layer of utility, o3-mini now integrates with search, providing up-to-date answers with links to relevant web sources—an early prototype of search integration across OpenAI’s reasoning models.
Free plan users also get a chance to experience o3-mini by selecting ‘Reason’ in the message composer or regenerating a response. This marks the first time a reasoning model has been made available to free users in ChatGPT.
While o1 remains OpenAI’s general knowledge reasoning model, o3-mini serves as a specialized alternative for technical domains demanding precision and speed. In ChatGPT, o3-mini defaults to medium reasoning effort, balancing speed and accuracy. Paid users can also select o3-mini-high for more complex tasks requiring higher intelligence, though this option may result in slightly longer response times. Pro users have unlimited access to both o3-mini and o3-mini-high.
According to OpenAI, o3-mini’s performance is impressive. With medium reasoning effort, it matches o1’s performance in math, coding, and science, but delivers faster responses. Expert evaluations have shown that o3-mini produces more accurate and clearer answers with stronger reasoning abilities than o1-mini. Testers preferred o3-mini’s responses 56% of the time and observed a 39% reduction in major errors on challenging real-world questions. With medium reasoning effort, o3-mini matches the performance of o1 on challenging reasoning and intelligence evaluations like AIME and GPQA. Its performance extends across various benchmarks, including competition math (AIME), PhD-level science questions (GPQA Diamond), research-level mathematics (FrontierMath), competition coding (Codeforces), software engineering (SWE-bench Verified), and LiveBench coding. In all these areas, o3-mini demonstrates significant improvements over its predecessor, particularly with high reasoning effort.
Speed and efficiency are also hallmarks of o3-mini. It delivers responses 24% faster than o1-mini, with an average response time of 7.7 seconds compared to 10.16 seconds for o1-mini. o3-mini also boasts a 2500ms faster time to first token than o1-mini.
Safety is paramount. OpenAI employs techniques like deliberative alignment to ensure o3-mini responds safely, training the model to consider human-written safety specifications before answering prompts. Like o1, o3-mini surpasses GPT-4 on challenging safety and jailbreak evaluations. Rigorous safety assessments, external red-teaming, and safety evaluations are conducted before deployment.
It’s worth noting that o3-mini launches on the tails of DeepSeek’s R1 model. This model has become quite the disruptor in the Generative AI space affecting companies like Open AI and NVIDIA. With claims that the model is running on more modest hardware and – more importantly – Huawei’s processors. The model not only breaks the perceived monopoly and leadership of America in the AI arena, but it also shows a shift that may break the monopolistic hold US-based companies have had thus far. Open AI’s o3-mini follows DeepSeek’s R1 when it comes to power efficiency and speed.
How will it affect the market in the long run? We can’t say for sure, but one thing we do know is DeepSeek is breaking a lot of preconceptions that China is unable to keep up with AI movement due to tariffs and trade restrictions currently in place.
Buckle up! CES 2025 is here! Samsung is kicking things off with the unveiling of a fresh lineup of monitors designed to cater to a wide range of users, from casual content consumers to hardcore gamers and productivity powerhouses. This year’s offerings seem to prioritize three key elements: AI integration, enhanced performance, and innovative form factors to maximize your desk space. Let’s dive into the details and see which monitor might be the perfect fit for your setup.
Smart Monitor M9: Your Entertainment Hub Gets an AI Upgrade
Gone are the days of fiddling with display settings for different content. The new Smart Monitor M9 (M90SF model) boasts industry-first AI features that aim to elevate your entertainment experience.
The new Smart Monitor M9 will be coming with AI Picture Optimizer. This nifty feature analyzes what you’re watching – be it a movie, a game, or a productivity application – and automatically fine-tunes the display settings for the best possible viewing experience. No more messing with brightness, contrast, or color temperature – the M9 takes care of it all.
AI Upscaling Pro is also coming along for the ride. The new feature utilizes advanced processing and neural networks to upscale lower-resolution content to near-4K quality. This means those aging DVDs or downloaded videos might just get a new lease on life.
Samsung is also positioning the M9 as an all-in-one entertainment hub. It boasts built-in smart TV functionalities, allowing you to access streaming services, browse the web, or even mirror content from your phone directly on the monitor. Talk about convenience!
Odyssey Gaming Monitors: Gearing Up for Next-Level Gaming
For the gamers out there, Samsung isn’t holding back. The Odyssey lineup welcomes two new contenders: the Odyssey OLED G6 and the Odyssey OLED G8. Here’s what makes them stand out.
Odyssey OLED G6: The First 27-Inch 4K OLED Gaming Monitor: This beauty brings together high resolution with the exceptional image quality of OLED technology. Imagine crisp visuals, deep blacks, and vibrant colors in a compact 27-inch form factor. Perfect for gamers who want a top-notch visual experience without sacrificing desk space.
Odyssey OLED G8: Speed Demon with a 500Hz Refresh Rate: Buckle up for a tear-free, ultra-smooth gaming experience. The G8 boasts a mind-blowing 500Hz refresh rate, the fastest on any OLED monitor to date. This translates to lightning-fast response times, ideal for high-octane games where every millisecond counts.
Both G6 and G8 Support Features for Enhanced Gaming: Gamers will appreciate HDR10+ support for stunning visuals, along with features like NVIDIA G-SYNC® and AMD FreeSync™ Premium Pro compatibility for smooth motion and reduced screen tearing. Additionally, both monitors incorporate Samsung’s OLED Care Pro technology to mitigate the risk of burn-in, a common concern with OLED displays.
3D Displays are making a come back with the 27-inch Odyssey 3D (G90XF model). The new 3D monitor ditches the 3D glasses in favour of lenticular displays which bring a more customisable experience. It’s also using AI to generate 3D content from 2D sources.
ViewFinity: Maximize Your Desk Real Estate for Peak Productivity
For those who value screen real estate for multitasking and increased productivity, Samsung hasn’t forgotten about you. The ViewFinity lineup welcomes its largest model yet – a 37-inch 16:9 4K monitor.
Imagine having all your windows open, spreadsheets side-by-side, and design tools readily available at a glance. This monitor could be a game-changer for creators, editors, and anyone who juggles multiple applications simultaneously.
A Look Forward: AI, OLED Dominance, and What it Means for You
Samsung’s CES 2025 monitor lineup paints a clear picture of where display technology is headed: AI for a more convenient and personalized experience, a continued push for OLED technology with its superior visuals, and an increasing focus on maximizing desktop space for productivity.
Whether you’re a casual user looking for an all-in-one entertainment hub, a gamer demanding the best performance, or a creative professional needing a spacious canvas for your work, Samsung’s 2025 monitor lineup seems to offer something for everyone. Of course, specific pricing and release dates haven’t been announced yet, so stay tuned for further updates.
In the meantime, it’s exciting to see how these new technologies translate to real-world user experiences. Will AI truly simplify display settings? Can OLED technology overcome burn-in concerns and become the dominant display type? How will larger screen sizes impact productivity workflows? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure – Samsung’s CES 2025 announcements have definitely set the stage for an exciting year in display technology.
So, What Does This Mean for You?
Let’s break down what these announcements mean for different types of users:
For the Casual Viewer: The Smart Monitor M9 with its AI enhancements could be a real game-changer. Imagine a display that automatically adjusts to your content, making movie nights more immersive and web browsing easier on the eyes. The built-in smart TV features also make it a versatile entertainment hub, potentially replacing the need for a separate TV in smaller spaces.
For the Hardcore Gamer: The Odyssey OLED G6 and G8 are clearly designed to push the boundaries of gaming performance.The G6 offers that sweet spot of high resolution and fast refresh rate, while the G8 is all about pure speed. If you’re a competitive gamer or someone who demands the absolute smoothest gameplay, the G8’s 500Hz refresh rate is definitely something to keep an eye on.
For the Productivity Power User: The expanded ViewFinity lineup, especially the new 37-inch model, is a boon for multitasking. If you regularly work with multiple applications or need a large canvas for creative work, these monitors could significantly boost your productivity.
The Bigger Picture: A Glimpse into the Future of Displays
Samsung’s announcements at CES 2025 aren’t just about individual products; they offer a glimpse into the future of displays. The emphasis on AI integration suggests that displays are becoming more intelligent and personalized, adapting to our needs and preferences automatically. The continued push for OLED technology indicates that we can expect even better image quality and performance in the years to come. And the focus on form factor and ergonomics shows that manufacturers are taking into account how we actually use our displays in our daily lives.
Pricing and Availability: The All-Important Details
Now, for the question on everyone’s mind: when can you get your hands on these new monitors, and how much will they set you back? Unfortunately, Samsung hasn’t released specific pricing or availability details yet. We can expect more information to be released closer to the launch dates, which are also yet to be confirmed. However, based on previous releases and the technology involved, we can speculate that these monitors will likely fall into the premium price range.
As always, it’s important to take early announcements with a grain of salt. Real-world performance and user reviews will ultimately determine whether these monitors live up to the hype. But based on what we’ve seen at CES 2025, it’s safe to say that Samsung is pushing the boundaries of display technology, and we’re excited to see what the future holds. Keep an eye out for further updates as we get closer to the official launch dates.
Accenture has announced an expansion of its cybersecurity services, incorporating generative AI, deepfake protection, and quantum-safe data security solutions. These enhancements are designed to help clients across various industries strengthen their cyber resilience and adapt to the evolving threat landscape.
Addressing the Rise of AI-Driven Cyberattacks
Accenture’s cyber intelligence (ACI) researchers have observed a significant increase in the use of AI by cybercriminals. Specifically, they reported a 223% surge in deepfake-related tool trading on dark web forums in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This trend underscores the need for organizations to implement advanced cybersecurity measures capable of detecting, responding to, predicting, and preventing AI-driven threats in real time.
New Cybersecurity Services to Counter Emerging Threats
To address these evolving challenges, Accenture is introducing several new services. Each of these are targeted services aiming to help deal with specific threats and address potential security vulnerabilities that may come as a result.
Foremost among them are Accenture’s Secure AI Solutions that focuses on building resilience throughout the entire AI program lifecycle. It includes best practices for developing secure AI frameworks, policies, and processes. It also provides capabilities to assess and protect access, data, models, and infrastructure, building trust in AI systems by design. Red-teaming and adversarial simulations are used to identify vulnerabilities in AI systems, including large language models (LLMs), and a Generative AI Security Diagnostic is available to detect and secure unauthorized AI deployments.
Together with this, Deepfake Protection will provide security testing, monitoring, and detection of deepfakes, leveraging partner technologies such as Reality Defender. This aims to protect organizations from the impact of deepfakes on customer contact centers, business video conferences, and other critical communication channels.
Accenture is also introducing a cloud-based solution called its Business Cyber Crisis Recovery. This cloud-based solution is designed to help organizations in sectors like healthcare, telecommunications, and oil & gas quickly restore essential infrastructure following a cyberattack. The goal is to significantly reduce downtime, enabling operations to resume in hours rather than weeks.
Rounding up its offerings, the Quantum Security Suite brings a bevvy of services that help organizations develop robust quantum security strategies. It includes identifying vulnerable encryption across the enterprise and replacing outdated technology with the latest quantum-safe algorithms recommended by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Enhancing Core Cybersecurity Services with Generative AI
Accenture is also integrating generative AI into its core cybersecurity offerings through Accenture mySecurity, a centralized suite of assets. This integration aims to improve the speed and efficiency of cyber resilience services across various areas, including supply chain, cloud, applications, and identity and access management. This enhancement is intended to help clients better protect against AI-driven threats. An example of this in action is Accenture’s work with the Kuwait Government Central Agency for Information Technology to establish and manage a National Security Operations Center, leveraging gen AI to enhance threat detection and remediation.
Expanding Global Cybersecurity Capabilities
To support the delivery of these enhanced services, Accenture is expanding its global network of Cyber Future Centers. New locations include a gen AI Security studio in Brussels and Washington, D.C.; a Quantum Security Center and Lab and a Cyber Physical Security center in Bengaluru; and a Sovereignty Hub in Malaga. This expansion brings Accenture’s total number of cybersecurity facilities to more than 40 across 22 countries.
Investing in Cybersecurity Expertise
Accenture has significantly increased its cybersecurity workforce, growing by more than 30% in 2024 to over 25,000 professionals. The company has also made strategic acquisitions and investments in cybersecurity, space, and quantum security companies.
ASUS has announced the NUC 14 Pro AI, a groundbreaking mini PC that integrates the latest Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) with Microsoft Copilot+. This compact device promises to deliver significant performance enhancements for a wide range of applications, from business and entertainment to industrial use cases.
Source: ASUS
Advanced Processing Power for Demanding Tasks
At the heart of the NUC 14 Pro AI is the latest generation of Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2). These processors utilize a multi-architecture design, combining CPU, GPU, and NPU (Neural Processing Unit) technologies for optimal performance. This architecture delivers up to 120 platform TOPS (trillions of operations per second) and a substantial 48 NPU TOPS. This represents a threefold increase in AI performance compared to previous NUC models, positioning the NUC 14 Pro AI as a strong contender for demanding workloads in commercial settings, edge computing, and IoT deployments.
Enhanced Graphics and Memory for a Smoother Experience
The NUC 14 Pro AI features integrated Intel Arc 140/130V graphics, powered by the Xe2 Architecture. This integrated GPU delivers up to 67 TOPS, providing enhanced visuals for both content creation and general use. Technologies like Xe Super Scaling (XeSS) and Intel Xe Matrix Extensions (XMX) further boost graphics performance. Notably, the NUC 14 Pro AI is the first to incorporate on-chip LPDDR5x-8533 MT/s memory, offering a significant increase in memory bandwidth compared to DDR5. This improved memory performance should result in faster loading times and smoother multitasking.
AI Integration with Copilot+
A key feature of the NUC 14 Pro AI is its integration with Microsoft Copilot+. A dedicated Copilot button provides quick access to AI-powered functionalities. Combined with built-in microphones and speakers supported by Smart Amp technology, users can interact with the system using voice commands. Running on Windows 11, Copilot acts as an AI assistant, providing information and assistance from both local and web sources, aiming to enhance productivity and creativity.
Designed for Reliability, Security, and Ease of Use
ASUS has focused on reliability and security in the design of the NUC 14 Pro AI. Engineered for continuous 24/7 operation, the device incorporates advanced thermal management to maintain stable performance. Security features include Secure Boot, Trusted Platform Module (TPM), and optional fingerprint recognition. For IT management, the NUC 14 Pro AI supports ASUS Control Center Remote Management and Microsoft Windows Autopilot, simplifying deployment and ongoing maintenance.
Compact Form Factor for Versatile Deployment
Despite its powerful internals, the NUC 14 Pro AI maintains a compact form factor, measuring 130 x 130 x 34mm with a 0.6-liter chassis. This small footprint makes it suitable for various environments where space is limited. The inclusion of embedded LPDDR5x memory, enhanced graphics, and intelligent cooling ensures efficient performance even in demanding scenarios. The NUC 14 Pro AI also meets EPEAT Climate+ energy standards, reflecting a commitment to sustainability. A toolless-access design simplifies upgrades and maintenance.
Comprehensive Connectivity Options
Connectivity is well-addressed with the inclusion of Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and Thunderbolt 4. These technologies enable high-speed data transfers and seamless connections to a wide range of peripherals.
Pricing & Availability
The ASUS NUC 14 Pro AI is expected to be available in Malaysia around mid-February 2025. Pricing will be announced closer to the launch date and will vary depending on the specific configuration.
1 x Power button 1 x Copilot button 1 x Thunderbolt™ 4 (Supports DisplayPort™ 2.1) 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A (5Gbps) 1 x Audio Jack (Line out/Mic in/Headphone out
Side I/O
1 x Kensington Lock slot
Rear I/O
1 x Thunderbolt™ 4 (Support DP2.1) 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A (10Gbps) 1 x HDMI® port[iii] 1 x 2.5G RJ45 LAN 1 x DC-in Note: Triple-display support enabled by 2x Thunderbolt 4 and 1x HDMI
[i] Wi-Fi 7 support depends on device compatibility, network setup, and regional availability of the 6 GHz band, which may not be accessible in all countries, potentially limiting full functionality. [ii] Bluetooth version support may vary from OS. Bluetooth v5.4 function will be ready in in Windows 11 or later. [iii] Supports HDMI CEC & HDCP 2.2 ; Supports 4K @ 60Hz visuals as specified in HDMI 2.1 [iv] Passed the DOE VI regulation (over 250W: DOE efficiency 87.5%; between 45W-250W: DOE efficiency 88%) List
The insurance industry has long been associated with complexity, opaque processes, and a significant knowledge gap between providers and consumers. For years, consumers have struggled to navigate the maze of insurance options, bogged down by technical jargon, lengthy claims processes, and a lack of transparency. Recognizing these pain points, Malaysian startup InsureKU has entered the scene with a bold vision: to revolutionize the insurance journey through cutting-edge AI and digital tools, transforming the experience for consumers while empowering insurance providers with unprecedented operational efficiency.
Simplifying the Insurance Journey for Consumers
At the heart of InsureKU’s mission is the drive to make insurance more accessible, transparent, and user-friendly. The platform achieves this through a combination of intuitive design and advanced algorithms. Its real-time aggregation engine, powered by server-side rendering (SSR), ensures users can access and compare policies with minimal latency. Additionally, the integration of AI-driven tools enhances user guidance by breaking down complex insurance jargon into understandable terms, offering a seamless and informative experience. “The driving force behind InsureKU’s inception was recognizing a significant gap in the insurance market, especially in streamlining processes like issuing Guarantee Letters for hospital admissions, which are often tedious and time-consuming,” explains Shadhana Sekaran, Co-founder and CEO of InsureKU. “Additionally, while people understand the importance of insurance, many feel overwhelmed by the options and complex information, making them hesitant to commit.”
To address these challenges, InsureKU has developed a custom-built aggregation engine that integrates with multiple insurance and takaful providers. This engine is powered by advanced data integration frameworks and APIs that facilitate seamless connectivity with providers’ systems. Built on a robust cloud infrastructure, the engine employs machine learning algorithms to optimize policy recommendations and ensure real-time quote generation. Additionally, the use of modern development frameworks, like Next.js, ensures high performance and scalability, delivering a user experience that is both intuitive and efficient. This engine allows users to access real-time quotes and seamlessly compare policies across various categories, including medical, life, and motor insurance, all within a single platform. By leveraging server-side rendering (SSR) capabilities, the platform delivers highly dynamic and responsive user experiences, ensuring real-time updates on quotes and features. Unlike traditional client-side rendering, SSR processes the HTML on the server before sending it to the user’s browser, significantly reducing load times and improving search engine optimization (SEO). This approach not only enhances performance but also ensures a smoother, more interactive experience for users navigating through complex insurance data.
Source: Screencap of InsureKU’s Website
“We aim to demystify insurance and empower individuals to make confident, informed decisions about their coverage,” adds Shadhana. The platform’s user-centric approach includes features such as live chat, email, and phone assistance to provide guidance during policy selection and post-purchase support, ensuring that consumers feel supported at every step of their insurance journey.
AI-Powered Innovations Transforming the Industry
While InsureKU’s aggregation engine sets the foundation for its digital platform, its AI-driven features truly set it apart. The company is actively exploring the use of custom AI models to build a comprehensive knowledge base for insurance products. This knowledge base enables users to ask specific questions about policies in real-time, leveraging natural language processing (NLP) models to interpret and respond to queries with high accuracy. By employing NLP, the platform can understand complex user inputs and provide contextually relevant information, creating a more intuitive and guided experience. These AI techniques enable dynamic interactions, allowing users to access tailored insights without needing deep technical knowledge.
“We’re working on integrating AI-driven features to further enhance the insurance and takaful aggregation experience,” Shadhana shares. “For instance, automated claim processing and fraud detection are key areas where AI can significantly ease pain points for both customers and insurance partners.” By analyzing claim documents and detecting fraudulent requests, InsureKU aims to streamline the claims process, reducing delays and enhancing trust between consumers and providers. The platform employs machine learning models such as anomaly detection algorithms to identify irregular patterns in claims data, flagging potential fraud with high accuracy. These AI-driven methods not only speed up the validation process but also minimize false positives, ensuring a smoother experience for legitimate claims while maintaining robust security against fraudulent activities.
The potential of AI extends beyond claims processing. InsureKU’s platform can analyze large datasets from various insurers to ensure better risk assessment and offer the most competitive rates tailored to individual customer profiles. This data-driven approach not only benefits consumers but also helps insurers refine their offerings and pricing strategies, fostering a more competitive and transparent marketplace.
Promoting Transparency & Trust
Transparency is a cornerstone of InsureKU’s philosophy. The platform’s digital-first approach promotes visibility and accountability by streamlining processes such as claims tracking, policy management, and customer support. Consumers have real-time access to critical information, empowering them to make well-informed decisions and fostering trust in a traditionally opaque industry.
“The digitization of the insurance sector is set to majorly help the finance and insurance sectors, allowing a large part of the population to have easy access to policy buying and proper knowledge about all the products available in the market,” Shadhana notes. She anticipates that younger, tech-savvy consumers will lead this shift toward online platforms, seeking convenience and minimal hassle.
InsureKU’s commitment to transparency is further underscored by its adherence to Bank Negara Malaysia’s guidelines on internet insurance and IT environment management. The platform employs multi-layered security measures, including data encryption and continuous monitoring, to protect sensitive user information and maintain a robust security posture.
Empowering Insurance Providers Through Technology
While InsureKU’s innovations are consumer-focused, the platform also delivers significant value to insurance providers. By aggregating real-time data and enabling seamless comparisons, InsureKU helps insurers reach a broader audience and present their products in a transparent, accessible manner. This fosters healthier competition and encourages providers to innovate and adapt to evolving consumer expectations.
The platform’s scalability and reliability are powered by modern frontend and backend frameworks, including Next.js, which ensures smooth navigation and minimal latency. Next.js was chosen for its ability to support server-side rendering (SSR), which enhances performance by preloading content on the server before delivering it to the user’s browser. This framework also provides excellent scalability, allowing the platform to handle a growing user base without compromising speed or functionality. Additionally, its modular architecture simplifies development and maintenance, ensuring the platform remains robust and responsive as it evolves. Hosted on a secure cloud infrastructure, InsureKU offers insurers a stable and reliable environment to engage with potential customers while safeguarding sensitive data.
The Future of Digital Insurance
As InsureKU continues to grow, the company has ambitious plans to expand its offerings and further enhance its platform. “We’re working hard to include other insurance products such as travel, critical illness, medical cards, and motor insurance in the upcoming months,” Shadhana reveals. The team is also developing a mobile app, set to launch in the second half of 2025, to provide users with a seamless, on-the-go experience. The app will feature advanced functionalities such as real-time policy comparisons, AI-driven customer support, and biometric authentication for enhanced security. Additionally, it will integrate with the platform’s core aggregation engine, ensuring that users can access the same comprehensive insurance options and personalized recommendations directly from their mobile devices.
Additionally, InsureKU is exploring the integration of AI-powered chatbots for 24/7 customer support, as well as advanced analytics tools to refine its risk assessment and pricing models. These advancements are poised to set new standards for digital insurance, making the industry more accessible, transparent, and efficient than ever before.
Redefining the Insurance Landscape
InsureKU’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of technology in addressing long-standing challenges in the insurance industry. By combining AI-driven innovations with a commitment to transparency and user-centric design, the platform is redefining the insurance landscape in Malaysia and beyond.
“Our goal is to raise the bar, making insurance more accessible, transparent, and responsive to the evolving needs of today’s consumers,” Shadhana concludes. With its forward-thinking approach and relentless focus on innovation, InsureKU is not just simplifying insurance; it’s setting the stage for a smarter, more inclusive future for the entire industry.
This article is written from an interview with Ms Shadhana Sekaran, Chief Executive Officer and Founder at InsureKU
Shadhana Sekaran is the co-founder, and serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of InsureKU Malaysia, the first true end to end Insurance and Takaful Aggregation and Recommendation Platform in Malaysia. She brings over 21 years of real world experience in business and leadership capacities within the insurance industry to this unique offering. With a unique amalgamation of strategic prowess and deep industry knowledge, Sekaran orchestrates the overarching business strategy, fostering innovation and driving transformative initiatives within the insurance sector. At InsureKU, she spearheads pioneering solutions, harnessing a user-centric website platform to facilitate seamless comparison of insurance and takaful product quotes and recommendations for Malaysian consumers. Acknowledged for her remarkable accomplishments within the Insurance and Takaful industry, including the much coveted Million Dollar Round Table Producer accolade, and the Double Kris Award, Sekaran commands respect through her actions and her commitment to bettering the world around her. Additionally, she contributes significantly to local entrepreneurial development, serving as the Chairman for Domestic Trade at the Kuala Lumpur Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Beyond her corporate endeavors, she actively participates in community outreach initiatives, holding the position of Deputy President at the Soroptimist International Club of Sentul and leading impactful programs such as the Educare Programme. Armed with a degree in International Business Administration from the University of Northumbria at Newcastle, Sekaran is a proven corporate and community leader that has a varied and respected career characterised by versatility and an unwavering commitment to innovative solutions for the benefit of her customers.. Presently, she continues to redefine Malaysia’s insurance and takaful landscape, championing accessibility and simplicity in insurance through insureKU.
This article is contributed by Dhawal Shah, Regional Managing Director and Co-founder of 2Stallions
The digital marketing industry in Malaysia continues to soar, with it raking in RM66.22 billion in the first half of 2024 alone, handily surpassing the full-year digital investment for 2023 of RM46.2 billion. This massive growth can be attributed to a wide range of factors; however, we must acknowledge that the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in not only this sector, but across all industries, has definitely been a major contributor. As a matter of fact, AI has boosted every single industry’s revenue by 10% to 35% globally.
Source: 2Stalliions via Shutterstock
With this in mind, let’s take a deep dive into the 6 ways AI has transformed digital marketing in 2024, as well as why all digital marketers should adopt it fully before it’s too late.
Content, Products, And Brands: Specifically For You
AI has completely supercharged companies’ abilities to deliver hyper-personalised content to users. With the power to analyse data such as browsing habits, past purchases, and even real-time interactions to tailor content to individual preferences, marketers can create dynamic content that changes based on a user’s profile or real-time behaviour, enhancing engagement.
In addition, AI-powered recommendation engines — think the suggestions you get on Amazon or Netflix — have become the gold standard. These systems are perfect examples for marketers to be inspired by, in terms of how tracking customer preferences can be used to suggest products and services that match their interests.
Getting Your Brand To The Top AI has radically transformed search engine optimisation (SEO). With AI tools like Google’s BERT and MUM models, we can now get a clearer sense of what people are searching for and tailor content to match their intent more accurately. AI also powers natural language processing (NLP) tools and generation models like OpenAI’s GPT, making it possible to create more human and authentic content—at a much faster pace.
Automated content creation is another leap forward, with AI tools generating blog posts, ad copy, and even social media content. AI doesn’t just speed up the content creation process for this area though; it’s smart enough to analyse real-time data and tweak messaging for better engagement. Whether it’s blog posts, social media updates, or ad copy, AI helps make sure your content resonates with the right audience.
Your Campaigns Can Run Themselves
AI has completely transformed the way we manage campaigns, from increased efficiency to improved idea generation and more . Imagine having tools that not only target the right audience but also optimise everything in real-time—from bidding strategies to audience segmentation and
performance tracking. With AI, it’s now possible to automate many aspects of campaign management, ensuring your ads always perform at their best.
And it doesn’t stop there. AI is also changing how programmatic advertising works, automating the entire ad-buying process across multiple platforms through specially designed programmatic algorithms. This ensures that your ads are reaching the right people at the right moment, helping you get the most out of your marketing budget and further maximising your return-on-investment (ROI).
Talk Chatbot To Me
The rise of AI-powered chatbots in customer support has been one of the most interesting developments in the marketing sector. As of 2024, chatbots have become smarter (literally), and are capable of handling more complex queries through natural language understanding (NLU), the better to deliver faster, more accurate responses. This trend has led to improved user experiences, with bots providing 24/7 support, personalising responses based on customer history, and escalating issues to human agents only when necessary, such as in the case of Google’s Customer Engagement Suite.
In industries like retail and e-commerce, these AI chatbots are a game-changer. They can cut response times and improve customer satisfaction, all while gathering data that helps businesses refine their future marketing strategies.
Future-Powered Targets
AI’s ability to sift through massive amounts of data has brought predictive analytics to a whole new level. By 2024, marketers can anticipate trends, customer behaviour, and buying patterns with stunning accuracy. These predictive models allow businesses to hit the sweet spot when customers are most likely to engage or purchase, making marketing even more effective.
From predicting future purchases to knowing when a customer might unsubscribe, these insights can go a long way towards helping companies deliver personalised, timely offers that resonate with their audience, ultimately boosting marketing efficiency.
Visual and Voice Searches
Voice search is booming, and AI is at the heart of this shift. By 2024, over half of all internet searches are expected to be voice-based, thanks to AI-driven tools like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. With conversational queries on the rise, businesses need to optimise their content to ensure they actively feature in voice search results.
AI is also revolutionising visual search. Tools like Google Lens now enable users to find products or information just by snapping a photo. This trend is pushing brands to rethink how they optimise their content, ensuring they’re ready for both voice and visual searches as they become even more integral to how people discover information.
