ASUS Malaysia is expanding its ExpertBook lineup, bolstering its ASUS Business offerings. The two new laptops—the ExpertBook P1 and ExpertBook P5—are designed specifically for professionals and businesses in different segments. Both laptops offer a balance of performance, portability, and security.
ExpertBook P1: A Reliable and Affordable Option
The ExpertBook P1 is a more budget-friendly option for professionals who prioritize essential computing tasks. It features a sleek and lightweight design, making it easy to carry around. Powered by the latest Intel Core processors, the P1 delivers reliable performance for everyday tasks.
The new offering under the ASUS Business portfolio comes with a 13th Generation Intel Core i7 Processor with up to 16GB of DDR5 RAM and 512GB PCIe 4.0 Storage. It comes with support for Dual DDR SO-DIMM slots for high performance RAM upgrades and Dual-SSD RAID support for better memory reliability and performance.
In addition to this, the laptop also comes with miliary-grade durability for peace of mind when working on the go. The laptop also comes with a bevvy of AI features that are designed to enhance the user experience. A standout AI feature is the ASUS AI ExpertMeet that helps enhance meeting productivity with on the fly translations, translations and meeting summaries. Key features of the ExpertBook P1 include:
ExpertBook P5: A Powerful and AI-Driven Laptop
The ExpertBook P5 is a high-performance laptop designed for professionals who demand the best. Powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra processors, the P5 offers exceptional performance and AI-powered features.
The P5 is designed to be lightweight and durable – two important factors for people who work on-the-go. It comes with a high-resolution, 14-inch display with a 2.5K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. The laptop also comes with an enhanced cooling system that ensures optimal performance even under heavy load. It also comes with enterprise level security including TPM 2.0 and BIOS protection.
Like the ExpertBook P1, the Expert Book P5 comes with AI features to help with productivity. However, unlike the P1, the P5 is a Copilot+ for Work PC which comes with Microsoft’s Copilot+ enhancements including features that help with meeting productivity and enhanced security. It is also ready for Microsoft Recall, that will be rolling out later on.
ASUS is also providing 3-year warranty that includes on-site service and 24/7 customer support for the P5.
Pricing and Availability
The ASUS ExpertBook P1 series starts at RM3,799, while the ExpertBook P5 is priced at RM6,859. Both laptops are available now in Malaysia.
This article was based on an interview with Mr Chee Meng Tan, Area Sales Director, Commercial Building Services at Grundfos
As the world accelerates into the AI-driven future, the demand for data processing power is growing exponentially. The backbone of this digital revolution—data centres—is crucial in enabling advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and more. However, this progress comes at a significant environmental cost. Data centres are notorious for their immense energy consumption and water usage, making them prime candidates for sustainability efforts. In an era of heightened environmental consciousness, achieving sustainability in data centres is not just an option but an imperative.
Source: Grundfos
Chee Meng Tan, Area Sales Director, Commercial Building Services at Grundfos, highlights this challenge succinctly: “The efficiency of both IT hardware and cooling has been improved, and there’s a shift away from small, inefficient enterprise data centres towards more efficient cloud and hyperscale data centres.” The future of sustainability in AI must begin with reevaluating how data centres manage energy, cooling, and water resources.
Malaysia’s Emergence as a Key Market for Data Centers
In the Asia Pacific region and more specifically, Southeast Asia, Malaysia quickly has emerged as a key hub for data centre investments. With its strategic geographic location, relatively stable political environment, and competitive energy prices, Malaysia has attracted significant interest from global technology giants. Companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Meta have all made substantial investments in the region to support their growing data infrastructure needs.
AI Generated Image of Malaysia Digital
Google has set its sights on expanding its cloud operations in Malaysia as part of a broader strategy to strengthen its Southeast Asian presence by investing over USD$2 billion. Similarly, Microsoft announced plans to invest USD$2.2 billion in new data centre regions in Malaysia, signalling the country’s rising importance in the global cloud ecosystem. Meta, too, is making moves to leverage Malaysia’s infrastructure for its massive data demands, driven by the increasing reliance on cloud services and social media across the globe. The emerging importance of Malaysia as a key player couldn’t be better emphasized than with the USD$6.2 billion investment by AWS to develop and deploy its data centres in the country.
Malaysia’s government has also been keen to position the country as a leader in digital infrastructure. The recent launch of the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (MyDIGITAL) sets the stage for Malaysia to become a regional digital economy leader by 2030. Part of this initiative involves accelerating the development of data centres and semiconductor fabrication, positioning Malaysia as a critical player in the Southeast Asian data economy.
However, this rapid growth brings challenges. As Tan points out, Southeast Asia’s unique climate, characterized by high temperatures and humidity, exacerbates the energy and cooling demands of data centres. “Cooling alone accounts for 35 to 40% of energy consumption in data centres in Southeast Asia—up to 10% more than the global average,” he explains.
The Energy and Water Footprint of Data Centers
Data centres are power-hungry operations. According to the International Energy Agency, the electricity demand of data centres is expected to double by 2026, driven by the rising adoption of AI and other data-intensive technologies. Cooling systems alone account for about 40% of the total energy consumption in these facilities, making it clear that any advancements in energy efficiency must begin with improvements to these systems.
Water usage is another critical challenge. Tan notes that “data centres are estimated to use more than a billion litres of water per day – equivalent to about 400 Olympic-sized swimming pools.” This consumption is expected to increase rapidly as the demand for computing power rises. The water-energy nexus—where water is required to generate energy, and energy is required to circulate water—places a double burden on data centres striving to become more sustainable.
Grundfos: Innovating for Sustainability in Data Centers
Grundfos, a global leader in pump solutions and water management, has been at the forefront of sustainability efforts within the data centre industry. By leveraging over 75 years of experience in water solutions, Grundfos is not just selling pumps; they are working with data centre designers to optimize cooling systems based on specific needs. As Tan explains, “We don’t just sell pump solutions, but work with data centre designers to optimize the design of the cooling system based on the specific needs of each data centre.”
Grundfos Hydro MPC E and Hydro Multi E water boosting systems with IP55 rated MGE motors (Source: Grundfos)
Grundfos provides tailored solutions that help data centres reduce their energy and water footprints. For instance, ensuring that pumps are properly sized for each system is critical to minimizing energy waste. “It may sound basic, but many building operators don’t get it right,” Tan points out. The right-sizing of pumps can prevent significant energy wastage and ensure that the cooling system operates efficiently.
In addition to sizing, the motors used in these pumps play a pivotal role in energy efficiency. Tan mentions that many data centres are still using outdated IE3 motors, even though more energy-efficient alternatives, such as IE5 motors, are available. “Based on our calculation, an IE5 motor can achieve 5% in energy savings as compared to an IE3 motor for 10MW data centres,” he says. These savings might seem small at first glance, but when considering the scale of energy usage in data centres, they add up to significant reductions in both energy consumption and operational costs.
AI and Machine Learning in Cooling Systems
As AI continues to develop, it is not only driving the demand for data centres but also providing the tools to make them more sustainable. One of the most exciting advancements in data centre cooling is the use of AI and machine learning to achieve real-time, on-demand cooling. Tan points to a groundbreaking example from Google: “Google reported using its DeepMind AI to reduce the electricity demand of their data centre cooling systems by 40%.”
By harnessing AI to monitor temperature and cooling requirements, data centres can dynamically adjust their cooling systems to reduce energy consumption. Machine learning algorithms can analyze vast amounts of operational data to predict when and where cooling is needed, allowing the system to respond with precision, thereby optimizing energy use.
This shift toward intelligent cooling systems represents a major leap forward in the quest for sustainable data centres. AI-driven solutions not only reduce energy consumption but also extend the lifespan of equipment by preventing overheating and reducing the strain on infrastructure.
Modular and Prefabricated Solutions for Efficiency
Beyond AI, Grundfos is also pioneering modular and prefabricated solutions designed to enhance energy efficiency in data centres. Tan explains, “While not specific to data centres, the Delta Modular Systems we have developed offer various modularized standard solutions to the building services industry.” These systems are designed to optimize both the pump module’s structural design and control operations, bringing significant energy savings while reducing construction time and environmental impact.
Modular systems, particularly in cooling, are gaining traction because they allow for more tailored, needs-based cooling. Instead of relying on a centralized system, smaller cooling units can be deployed across server racks, each regulating its performance based on the needs of the corresponding rack. This not only minimizes energy usage but also ensures that each part of the data centre is cooled efficiently, without overburdening any single system.
Water Efficiency: A Key Focus for the Future
As global water security becomes an increasing concern, data centres are under pressure to reduce their water consumption. Grundfos is actively exploring alternative water sources and technologies that allow for more sustainable water management in data centres. “New technologies are being explored, such as using non-potable alternative water sources like rainwater harvesting or recycled water,” Tan explains. However, these systems require significant energy to treat the water and ensure its compatibility with the equipment used in data centres.
A holistic approach to sustainability, therefore, must include both energy and water efficiency. By integrating renewable water sources and improving the energy efficiency of water management systems, data centres can reduce their environmental impact and enhance their resilience in the face of water scarcity.
The Importance of Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE)
One of the key metrics used to measure the energy efficiency of data centres is Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE). PUE is a ratio that compares the total energy used by the data centre to the energy used by the computing equipment itself. An ideal PUE is 1.0, meaning that all energy consumed by the facility is being used for computing, with no excess energy wasted on overhead functions like cooling.
AI-Generated image of AI integration into Data Center Cooling systems by Microsoft Copilot
“PUE is a crucial metric for data centres,” Tan explains. “At Grundfos, our solutions are designed to achieve optimal energy efficiency, thereby reducing a data centre’s PUE.” Grundfos achieves this through three main strategies: providing reliable and efficient pumps, using digital technologies to optimize energy consumption, and offering prefabricated and modular solutions that shorten construction times and reduce environmental impact.
By focusing on reducing PUE, data centres can ensure that their energy usage is aligned with sustainability goals, while also cutting down on operational costs.
Renewable Energy Integration: The Next Step in Sustainability
Pairing energy-efficient cooling with renewable energy sources represents the next frontier for sustainable data centres. “The incorporation of renewable energy sources like solar panels or geothermal energy across operations can enable data centres to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and minimize their carbon footprint,” Tan says.
While renewable energy is often associated with variability—depending on factors like weather conditions—intelligent data insights and analytics can help overcome these challenges. By integrating renewable energy sources with advanced grid management systems, data centres can create a more resilient, sustainable energy supply that does not compromise performance.
The Road Ahead Should Be AI and Sustainability in Tandem
Looking to the future, AI is poised to play a central role in advancing sustainability efforts within the data centre industry. As Tan observes, “The rapid expansion of the AI market, which is projected to grow at a staggering annual rate of 37.3% between 2023 and 2030, is a primary driver of the rising demand for data centres.” This growth creates both opportunities and challenges: while data centres will need to expand to meet AI’s growing demands, they will also need to adopt AI-driven technologies to improve their sustainability.
In the next decade, data centres will increasingly rely on AI to optimize energy usage, predict maintenance needs, and enhance operational efficiency. These advancements will be critical in helping the industry meet global sustainability targets, such as those outlined in the Global Cooling Pledge, which aims to reduce cooling-related emissions by 68% by 2030.
Sustainable AI Starts with Data Centers
As the digital revolution continues to unfold, data centres will remain at the heart of technological progress. However, the environmental impact of these facilities cannot be ignored. As Chee Meng Tan from Grundfos emphasizes, “With a more robust approach to sustainability that considers impact across multiple touchpoints, data centres can demonstrate a strengthened commitment to the cause, which sharpens its competitive edge within the industry.”
By integrating energy-efficient technologies, adopting AI-driven cooling solutions, and exploring alternative water sources, data centres can drastically reduce their environmental footprint. The road to a sustainable AI future starts with the choices we make today, and it begins at the data centre.
This article was based on an interview with Mr Chee Meng Tan, Area Sales Director, Commercial Building Services at Grundfos
Chee Meng Tan Area Sales Director, Commercial Building Services, Grundfos
Chee Meng Tan is currently the Area Sales Director for Grundfos’ Commercial Building Services (CBS) division, responsible for growing CBS’s presence and leadership in Southeast Asia. Apart from opening and developing regional markets and operations, his role involves the strategic formulation and operative implementation of regional sales concepts.
Chee Meng joined Grundfos Singapore in 1995 as an Application Engineer and has taken on different roles and responsibilities in the last 29 years. Prior to taking on his current role, Chee Meng has held various positions within Grundfos such as the General Manager of Grundfos Alldos (Shanghai) Water Treatment Co, Ltd, the Regional Business Director for Industry Segment in Asia Pacific, as well as the Business Director for Water Utility segment in Asia Pacific.
Chee Meng holds a Diploma in Electrical Engineering as well as Management Studies.
This article was based on an interview with Mr Ramon Pinero, General Manager of BlackBerry AtHoc, and Mr Jonathan Jackson, Senior Director of Strategic Accounts at BlackBerry.
As we increasingly depend on digital systems for everyday operations, the security of our critical infrastructure faces unprecedented challenges. Cybersecurity, once a consideration largely confined to the tech sector, now plays a central role in safeguarding industries like transportation, healthcare, energy, and smart cities. BlackBerry, a company once synonymous with mobile devices, has shifted focus to become a key player in cybersecurity, integrating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to bolster infrastructure resilience.
Pivoting Mobile Leader to Cybersecurity Powerhouse
BlackBerry’s journey from a hardware pioneer to a cybersecurity leader was driven by recognizing a shift in the global digital landscape. Cybersecurity has evolved into an essential growth market in an interconnected world with myriad endpoints—from smartphones to autonomous vehicles and IoT sensors.
BlackBerry recognized this early and made a strategic decision to focus on software and services. “We saw an opportunity to make a strategic decision to focus on software and services in cybersecurity as a growth market,” noted Jonathan Jackson, Senior Director of Strategic Accounts at BlackBerry. This shift positioned the company to lead in two critical areas: cybersecurity and embedded systems, which are crucial in protecting modern infrastructure.
AI and Machine Learning: BlackBerry’s New Arsenal
At the core of BlackBerry’s transformation is its acquisition of Cylance, an AI-driven cybersecurity firm. The integration of Cylance’s AI and machine learning capabilities has empowered BlackBerry to prevent and respond to emerging threats. The nature of AI allows for predictive security, meaning that BlackBerry’s systems can anticipate and stop attacks before they materialize.
“Cylance AI is embedded across the full security stack of BlackBerry’s portfolio today,” explained Jackson. This approach is crucial in a world where cyberattacks evolve constantly, with AI even being used by malicious actors to generate never-before-seen threats. By using AI to fight AI, BlackBerry ensures it remains a step ahead of cybercriminals, leveraging technologies like deep learning to predict and prevent threats to critical systems.
Emergence of Smart Cities and the Need to Build Cyber Resilience
As smart cities emerge worldwide, they bring with them a host of new security challenges. The interconnected nature of smart city infrastructure—where traffic systems, public services, and energy grids communicate in real time—expands the potential attack surface for cybercriminals. BlackBerry’s embedded systems, designed to secure IoT devices and smart city infrastructure, are vital in protecting these increasingly complex environments.
BlackBerry has already made significant strides in securing automotive systems, with their technology being used by 24 of the top 25 electric vehicle manufacturers. This same technology, paired with AI and machine learning, is essential in smart cities, where the attack surface is ever-growing. “As you have more connected systems, you increase the attack surface of that system,” the company pointed out. Ensuring that these systems are secure is vital to maintaining the resilience of smart cities.
As the attack surface increases, the question of cyber security incidences changes from an “if” to a “when”. This is where policies such as Zero Trust can help. However, smart cities will also benefit from the implementation of threat intelligence and managed detection and response (MDR) solutions.
Zero Trust and Critical Infrastructure
One of the cornerstones of BlackBerry’s approach to cybersecurity resilience is the zero-trust framework. As applied to critical infrastructure—whether it’s power grids, transportation systems, or hospitals—this model ensures that no entity within the system is inherently trusted. Instead, all systems, devices, and users must continuously authenticate their identity to access sensitive data or systems.
This level of scrutiny is essential in industries where the stakes are highest. Ramon Pinero, General Manager of Blackberry AtHoc emphasizes, “Zero trust is important especially for critical infrastructure because of the types of data and assets that are in critical infrastructure,”. In an era where cyberattacks can have catastrophic real-world consequences, securing every aspect of infrastructure is paramount.
Collaborating to Bridge the Skills Gap
The challenges of securing critical infrastructure are further compounded by a global skills shortage in cybersecurity. BlackBerry’s collaboration with the Malaysian government exemplifies how partnerships can help address this gap. Through the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in Cyberjaya, BlackBerry is training the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, with a focus on AI, smart cities, and IoT security.
The initiative aims to develop local talent capable of addressing emerging cyber threats, ensuring Malaysia’s infrastructure is both secure and future-ready. As more countries invest in smart city technologies, this collaboration model could serve as a blueprint for other regions looking to build cybersecurity resilience into their infrastructure.
The Power of Prevention
While responding to cyberattacks is critical, BlackBerry strongly emphasizes prevention. Their Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services, powered by Cylance’s AI, help organizations that may not have in-house security teams by offering continuous threat monitoring and proactive security measures. With the ability to predict and prevent attacks, BlackBerry’s MDR solutions ensure that businesses and critical infrastructure providers can focus on operations without worrying about constant cybersecurity threats.
AI-Generated image by Copilot of a smart city that is secured digitally
In their approach, prevention is key. “If we can prevent attacks from happening, it means that organizations don’t have to spend time and resources recovering from incidents,” Ramon further emphasized. This proactive mindset is essential in today’s world, where the consequences of a successful cyberattack on critical infrastructure can be disastrous.
A Cyber-Resilient Future
As emerging technologies like AI, machine learning, and IoT continue to shape the future of infrastructure, ensuring that these systems are secure is more important than ever. BlackBerry’s strategic pivot from hardware to cybersecurity positions it as a leader in building resilient infrastructure, whether it’s in smart cities, healthcare, or automotive industries.
By focusing on prevention, embedding AI into their solutions, and addressing the cybersecurity skills gap, BlackBerry is helping organizations and governments alike secure the digital systems that power our world. In doing so, they ensure that critical infrastructure remains resilient in the face of an ever-evolving threat landscape.
This article was written based on an interview session with Mr Ramon Pinero, General Manager of BlackBerry AtHoc and Mr Jonathan Jackson Senior Director of Strategic Accounts at BlackBerry.
Ramon Pinero General Manager BlackBerry AtHoc
Ramon Pinero is the General Manager of BlackBerry AtHoc, where he oversees all aspects of the critical event management business. With more than 20 years of experience in crisis/emergency management (CEM) technologies, Ramon brings a deep understanding of both product development and customer success.
With a passion for technology and deep roots in emergency response, Ramon continues to advance BlackBerry AtHoc’s position as the market leader. He is focused on driving strategy, fostering innovation, and enabling AtHoc’s technology to make an even greater impact—helping more organizations increase their resiliency and save lives through fast, accurate communications before, during, and after critical situations.
Jonathan Jackson Senior Director, Strategic Technical Sales APAC at BlackBerry
Jonathan Jackson (JJ) is the a Senior Director, Strategic Technical Sales APAC for BlackBerry. With over 20 years’ of experience, he helps organisations manage their cyber risk, leveraging the best of breed solutions to stop cyber attacks. JJ is a staunch advocate of protecting data and privacy and is a frequent spokesperson on cyber threat intelligence in Australia and all across APAC.
Qatar Airways is pushing boundaries again. Having already made a name for itself in the aviation industry for its exceptional service and innovative approach to travel, the airline is now leveraging generative AI (Gen AI) in its latest ad campaign. The first-of-its-kind campaign uses the power of Gen AI to allow for a more interactive approach to advertising. The “AI Adventure” campaign offers viewers the unique opportunity to become the star of the film, immersing themselves in a personalized and interactive experience.
This innovative campaign marks a significant milestone for Qatar Airways, as it uniquely engages with the public. It is also allowing Qatar Airways to push boundaries when it comes to technology and customer engagement by allowing viewers to step into the role of the protagonist.
The campaign utilizes advanced AI technology to seamlessly integrate viewers into the film’s narrative. By uploading a photo, viewers can see themselves seamlessly integrated into various scenes, becoming the star of their own adventure with facial recognition technology and Gen AI. This personalized touch adds a unique and engaging dimension to the campaign.
If you’re interested in having your own “AI Adventure”, you can visit flyqatar.com and create your own version of the groundbreaking ad. Once done, you can even share it on social media and show off your adventure.
CelcomDigi is not slowing down. After announcing its new prepaid and postpaid plans, the telco is now revamping CelcomDigi Hub in Subang Jaya’s Hi-tech Park. The new revamp will help showcase how it is empowering different technologies with its integrated solution including 5G.
CelcomDigi Hub has long been one of the company’s best showcases for its technologies. Even before the merger, the Hub served as a showcase for Digi Telecommunications. Now, CelcomDigi is not only bringing its new identity to the building but also bringing it into the future to showcase 5G and AI technologies with its AI Experience Center (AiX). In the heart of the Hub, CelcomDigi is using an interactive system to showcase its 5G and AI applications in The Infinity. This immersive, interactive experience brings you on a tour guided by the CEO of CelcomDigi himself, Datuk Idham Nawawi. The Infinity seems like an apt name for the tour as the possibilities with AI and 5G are limitless (until we get 6G).
YB Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications standing with Datuk Idham Nawawi, CEO of Celcom and other partners at the launch of the AiX.
The tour at The Infinity is only the beginning. CelcomDigi continues to showcase the many use cases of 5G in The Gallery. Here, you’ll be able to see things like remote medical diagnoses, immersive augmented reality medical education and even robotics. The Gallery gives visitors a truly tangible experience with some of the many applications that they are showcasing. Many of these use cases are already deployed in the real world.
Some of the AI and Robotics that will be showcased at the CelcomDigi AiX
CelcomDigi’s AiX isn’t just a stagnant display. The company will be refreshing the experience regularly to showcase the latest it has to offer. The AiX will also serve as a collaboration space where CelcomDigi, its partners and interested parties are able to collaborate and innovate to leverage AI technologies and 5G. The space is equipped with a cutting-edge live lab environment that will allow interested parties to test and collaborate. In addition, guests at the AiX will also be hosted by AI-RA, the first AI digital human. AI-RA will be giving visitors a rundown of all the innovations that will be featured in AiX. Together with AI-RA, the new AiX will also be populated by a fleet of AI robotics that cater to the different needs of the AiX and its visitors.
YB Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications, getting hands-on with Robotics innovations in The Gallery in CelcomDigi’s AiX
CEO, Datuk Idham Nawawi noted, “Emerging technologies such as AI are revolutionising the world, and Malaysia must keep pace with this progress to build a flourishing digital nation. Over 1.5 years ago, we made a strong commitment to play a pivotal role to realise this ambition, leveraging our greater combined capabilities as a merged company to invest and drive digitalisation, innovation and sustainable growth for the nation. The AI Experience Centre is a realisation of the national benefit of the merger, where CelcomDigi’s scale and capabilities are able to attract and partner with global and regional digital tech giants to accelerate the development of cutting-edge digital solutions – positioning us as a strong ally to the nation’s digital aspirations.”
The CelcomDigi AiX was built on over 40 partnerships with industry leaders such as Huawei, AWS and DNB. A concept that will underpin the innovation and interactions that will take place within its walls. It will be open to visitors on a scheduled basis.
With just six years remaining to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, the Asia Pacific region faces a pressing and formidable challenge.
The recently released 2030 Asia Pacific SDG Progress Report by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) paints a stark picture, revealing that at the midpoint, the region has made less than 15% of the necessary progress towards the SDGs. The report also predicts that if current trends persist, it will take an estimated 42 years for the region to achieve the 2030 agenda, falling significantly short of reaching 90% of the 118 measurable SDG targets.
This sobering analysis underscores the urgent need to multiply efforts and accelerate progress. To address this challenge, corporates in the Asia Pacific & Japan (APJ) region must adopt an innovation mindset and place sustainability at the forefront of the business agenda. In fact, sustainability can also be a powerful driver of innovation, propelling companies forward on the path to success in today’s digital era.
Sustainable innovation is not limited to short-term gains but creates long-term value for both businesses and the planet. The Dell Technologies Innovation Index, which polled 6,600 business leaders across 45+ countries, reveals that more than one-third of companies (35%) in Malaysia – the same percentage as the APJ region – consider climate change as an accelerator of innovation.
Additionally, the research shows that momentum for sustainability innovation is steadily growing in our region. Half of the companies (50%) in Malaysia are actively reducing their overall IT carbon footprint, recognising the critical role of technology in addressing environmental challenges. Furthermore, 37% of businesses in Malaysia (40% in APJ) are turning to technology to gain greater visibility into their carbon impact, enabling them to make data-driven decisions for sustainability.
This emphasis on sustainability is also being prioritised by the Government, having – for the first time – set SDG indicator targets and finalised nine accelerator initiatives to achieve SDGs in the country. This is to ensure a more effective implementation of SDGs towards the country’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Agenda 2030).
Innovating for sustainability, sustainably
In today’s economic climate, innovation has never been more important for organisations to stay ahead of the curve and build resilience. While sustainability evidently drives innovation forward, businesses also have a responsibility to ensure that innovation is carried out efficiently and with minimal environmental impact.
For one, IT decision-makers (ITDMs) in APJ can leverage innovative technologies such as edge computing, artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), and as-a-service (aaS) models to manage energy consumption effectively, improve energy efficiency, and act upon data insights to drive sustainability. Encouragingly, the Dell Technologies Innovation Index also found that more than half (57%) of companies in Malaysia are already progressing in this space, embracing technology as a powerful tool for sustainable practices.
For example, innovative consumption models such as aaS or on-demand solutions promote sustainable resource utilisation by aligning technology consumption with actual needs – therefore reducing waste and optimising resource allocation. Businesses that embrace these flexible consumption models can not only reduce their environmental impact but also benefit from increased efficiency and cost savings.
Additionally, as digital transformation and the consumption of technology become more widespread, the greening of data centres has become crucial. As businesses rely more heavily on data centres, optimising their energy consumption becomes paramount. Currently, 48% of businesses in Malaysia are actively exploring methods to reduce energy use in their data centres.
[i]By investing in energy-efficient infrastructure and adopting best practices, organisations can lead the way in sustainable data management, setting a positive example for the industry.
While technology can help drive efficiencies, there comes a day when these devices eventually reach their end of life. It is therefore equally critical that businesses take active steps and work with the right partners to retire and recycle their end-of-life IT equipment, in order to minimise electronic waste and foster a circular economy. Dell Technologies’ Asset Recovery Services, for example, helps businesses with the proper disposal and recycling of IT assets to reduce the environmental footprint of the technology industry. Notably, the practice is not new in Malaysia and many are already engaged in initiatives to retire and recycle IT equipment responsibly.
It is also encouraging to note that the government has launched a National Circular Economy Council (NCEC) to unite stakeholders to accelerate the transition of waste management from a linear economy to a more holistically circular one.[ii]The NCEC will focus on matters related to policies, laws, implementation of related strategies and action plans, and the commitment and collaboration between the government and the private sectors.
Sustainable innovation: A win-win for businesses and the planet
The benefits of sustainable innovation are two-fold, generating value for both our environment and the bottom line. By integrating sustainability into their innovation agenda, companies can reduce environmental impact, enhance resilience, and improve operational efficiency. Furthermore, embracing sustainable practices has become a critical consideration for businesses to not only attract customers and investors but also to engage current and future employees.
As the Asia Pacific region continues its pursuit of the SDGs, collaboration and collective action are essential. While sustainable innovation can and should be driven at the company level, governments, businesses and individuals must also come together to drive meaningful impact. Partnerships between the public and private sectors can facilitate knowledge sharing, resource mobilisation, and the development of innovative solutions to address pressing sustainability challenges. Cross-industry collaborations can foster innovation and create synergies that accelerate progress towards the SDGs.
With less than a decade to go, our region now stands at a critical juncture – where sustainable innovation can lead the way towards achieving the UN SDGs by 2030. Despite the challenges highlighted in the 2030 Asia Pacific SDG Progress Report, the growing momentum for sustainability innovation is encouraging. Businesses in APJ should continue to embrace sustainable practices and leverage cutting-edge technologies to make significant contributions to sustainable development.
Axrail, a leading Malaysian IT solutions provider, has taken a groundbreaking step towards accelerating AI adoption in the region. The company, in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Phison, has launched the first-of-its-kind Generative AI (Gen AI) Lab in Southeast Asia.
This state-of-the-art facility signifies a major leap forward for Malaysian businesses looking to leverage the power of AI. Here’s how the Gen AI Lab empowers innovation and shapes the future of tech skills in Malaysia:
A Hub for Cutting-Edge Solutions
The Gen AI Lab brings together the expertise of three industry heavyweights. Axrail’s proven track record in AI implementation combines with AWS’s industry-leading cloud solutions, including Amazon Bedrock – a service offering access to high-performing AI models. Phison’s innovative aiDAPTIV+ technology adds an on-premise dimension to the mix. This collaborative environment fosters the development of comprehensive, end-to-end generative AI solutions, catering to both cloud and on-premise needs.
Fast-Tracking AI Adoption for Businesses
The Gen AI Lab isn’t just about showcasing cutting-edge technology; it’s designed to be a practical resource for businesses. The “sandbox” environment allows companies to experiment with AI applications and explore their potential to transform business operations. This hands-on approach helps companies to build the capabilities needed to extract value from data and increase efficiency across various functions.
Empowering Malaysian Businesses, Big and Small
Axrail is particularly focused on accelerating AI adoption among Malaysian SMEs. The upcoming AWS Region in Malaysia will provide crucial benefits like data residency, low latency, and robust cloud services, making AI solutions even more accessible. With the Gen AI Lab serving as a launchpad, Malaysian businesses of all sizes will have the opportunity to reimagine their operations using AI and achieve future-proof growth.
Boosting Malaysia’s Tech Skills Landscape
The Gen AI Lab isn’t just about technology; it’s about people. By fostering a collaborative environment for AI development and experimentation, Axrail is contributing to the growth of a skilled AI workforce in Malaysia. This aligns perfectly with the country’s Digital Economy Blueprint, which prioritizes digital transformation and establishing Malaysia as a regional leader in the digital arena. The complimentary half-day sharing session planned for July 18th is a testament to Axrail’s commitment to knowledge sharing and empowering Malaysians to navigate the exciting world of AI.
The Gen AI Lab: A Springboard for the Future
Axrail’s Gen AI Lab marks a significant milestone for Malaysia’s tech landscape. This collaborative effort positions the nation at the forefront of AI innovation, empowering businesses to thrive and nurturing a future generation of tech talent. Malaysia’s focus on building a digital economy that is not only focused on the needs of an increasingly digital market but also on the skillsets needed to adopt and adapt to a rapidly evolving market aligns with the efforts that we see from the country’s digital pioneers like Axrail. The Gen AI Lab aligns with the recent rhetoric and push by the government to adopt and upskill to make the country a competitive lifeline for the Southeast Asian Region’s digital development.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally, impacting millions of lives each year. While significant progress has been made in understanding the risk factors associated with heart disease, the precise genetic underpinnings of this complex condition have remained largely elusive. However, a recent breakthrough involving artificial intelligence (AI) offers a glimpse into a future where personalized medicine for heart disease becomes a reality.
Heart disease is a multifaceted condition influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Traditional methods for identifying genes associated with disease often relied on genome-wide association studies (GWAS). These studies compare the genetic makeup of individuals with and without a particular disease, searching for variations (single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs) that occur more frequently in the diseased population. While GWAS have identified numerous SNPs linked to heart disease, many of these variants exert a relatively weak effect, making it challenging to pinpoint the specific genes responsible and develop targeted therapies.
Machine Learning Model Used to Gain More Insights by Researchers
Researchers at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai are pioneering the use of a novel AI tool to unlock the secrets hidden within our genes. This tool, called a machine learning-based marker (MLBM), takes a more sophisticated approach compared to traditional GWAS. Instead of simply analyzing individual SNPs, the MLBM leverages machine learning algorithms to identify complex patterns across hundreds of genetic variants. Imagine sifting through a vast library of books, searching not just for individual words but for nuanced patterns and connections between sentences and paragraphs. The MLBM operates in a similar fashion, analyzing the interplay between numerous genetic variations to identify those that collectively contribute to an increased risk of heart disease.
The MLBM’s ability to identify complex patterns within genetic data has yielded significant results. The research team used the MLBM to analyze electronic health records and genetic data from over 600,000 individuals. This analysis revealed not only common SNPs associated with heart disease but also a set of rare coding variants within 17 previously unknown genes. These rare variants, while individually occurring in a smaller proportion of the population, may exert a more significant impact on heart disease risk. Imagine finding a single, critical clue hidden amongst a mountain of seemingly unrelated information. The MLBM’s ability to identify these rare yet impactful genetic variations holds immense potential for uncovering new pathways involved in heart disease development.
The identification of these novel genes opens doors for the development of more targeted therapies for heart disease. By understanding the specific genetic mutations contributing to an individual’s risk, doctors can potentially tailor treatment plans to address the underlying cause rather than simply manage symptoms. Imagine a future where preventive measures and medications can be personalized based on a person’s unique genetic makeup, potentially preventing heart disease altogether.
New Technologies Changing Medical Research
The success of the MLBM in uncovering new genetic variants for heart disease signifies a paradigm shift in our approach to medical research. AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we diagnose, treat, and ultimately prevent a wide range of diseases. By harnessing the power of AI to analyze complex biological data, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the intricate dance between genes and disease. This newfound knowledge can pave the way for the development of personalized medicine, offering a future where healthcare becomes more proactive and effective in combating life-threatening conditions like heart disease.
How would the principles of open source, namely permissive licenses, transparent training data and weights and, perhaps most of all, the ability to contribute to an open source model impact the resulting project?
Photo by Christina Morillo
Open models do exist from many of the most notable players in AI, but they aren’t open source or they impose certain restrictions…and that’s a challenge. To create models that really work for specific enterprise use cases, technology organizations need to understand the full scope of a model – how it was trained, what it was trained on, who contributed to it and so on – before they even think about fine-tuning it with their own internal data.
At Red Hat Summit 2023, we introduced Red Hat OpenShift AI, providing the foundation for running AI models at scale. A powerful, scalable and optimized platform for AI workloads, but not focused on delivering actual models. Today, we’ve made it clear that Red Hat’s strategy doesn’t solely exist in providing the backbone for AI-enabled applications – we want to bring the power of community and open source to the models themselves.
In collaboration with IBM Research, we’re open sourcing several models for both language and code-assistance. But what makes this even more exciting is InstructLab – a new open source project that allows individuals to enhance a model, through a simple user interface. Think of it as being able to contribute to an LLM in the same way you would with Pull Requests to any other open source project.
Photo by Tara Winstead
Instead of forking an LLM, which creates a dead-end that no one else can contribute to, InstructLab enables anyone around the world to add knowledge and skills. These contributions can then be incorporated into future releases of the model. Put simply…you don’t need to be a data scientist to contribute to InstructLab. Domain and subject matter experts (and data scientists too) can use InstructLab to make contributions that benefit everyone. I cannot overstate how powerful this is – both for the community and enterprises!
RHEL AI combines the critical components of the world’s leading enterprise Linux platform (in the form of the newly-announced image mode for Red Hat Enterprise Linux), open source-licensed Granite models and a supported, lifecycled distribution of the InstructLab project. InstructLab further extends the role of open source in AI, making working with or contributing to the underlying open source model as easy as contributing to any other community project.
AI innovation should not be limited to organizations that can afford massive GPU farms or brigades of data scientists. Everyone, from developers to IT operations teams to lines of business, needs the capacity to contribute to AI in some way, in a manner of their choosing. That’s the beauty of InstructLab and the potential of RHEL AI – it brings the accessibility of open source to the often-closed world of AI.
This is where Red Hat’s AI product strategy is going. Our history embodies our philosophy. We enabled the power of open source for Linux, Kubernetes and hybrid cloud computing for the enterprise.
Now, we’re doing the same for AI. Everyone can benefit from AI, so everyone should be able to access and contribute to it. Let’s do it in the open.
Alibaba Group’s research institute, DAMO Academy, has joined forces with the World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Center on Digital Health in a landmark partnership to advance medical AI innovations and expand accessibility in developing countries. This collaboration signifies a significant step towards leveraging cutting-edge AI technology to improve global healthcare outcomes.
Source: Alibaba Cloud
The WHO Collaborating Center on Digital Health, the first of its kind in the Western Pacific region, plays a pivotal role in supporting WHO initiatives. It spearheads digital health information exchange, scientific research, and international standard development, while also providing technical training to member countries.
This strategic partnership, officially launched at the UN’s AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, unites the strengths of both entities. DAMO Academy and the WHO Collaborating Center will collaborate on research and provide expert guidance in the fields of digital health, AI, and industrial development, ultimately supporting organizations like the WHO and the International Telecommunication Union.
An Inherently Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Recognizing the inherently interdisciplinary nature of AI and digital health, the partnership also focuses on joint training initiatives. These programs will encompass medicine, engineering, digital health, AI, industrial development, and other relevant fields. The goal is to cultivate a new generation of professionals equipped with the comprehensive skillset necessary to advance digital healthcare solutions.
Furthermore, the WHO Collaborating Center will leverage its resources to actively promote DAMO Academy’s medical AI solutions in developing countries. This strategic move strengthens international outreach for digital health initiatives, ultimately fostering health and wellness through technological advancements.
“Through this partnership with the WHO Collaborating Center on Digital Health, DAMO Academy embarks on a mission to democratize access to medical AI for those in need,” said Le Lu, Head of DAMO Academy’s medical AI team. “By working together, we aim to leverage advancements in medical AI development and digital health accessibility to improve healthcare for underserved communities.”
“This collaboration signifies not just a shared vision but a tangible commitment to harnessing the power of digital innovations to cultivate global health and wellness,” echoed Shan Xu, Head of the WHO Collaborating Centre on Digital Health. “By pooling our expertise and leveraging cutting-edge AI technology, we are poised to drive a transformative shift in digital health, particularly for developing countries.”
Pioneering Multi-Cancer Early Detection with AI
DAMO Academy’s medical AI team is at the forefront of exploring cost-effective and efficient methods for multi-cancer screening using AI technology. This ongoing research, conducted in collaboration with leading global medical institutions, has yielded significant progress. Their AI model demonstrates exceptional promise in detecting seven common cancers, including pancreatic, oesophagal, lung, breast, liver, gastric, and colorectal, all from a single CT scan.
Source: Alibaba Cloud
This achievement is particularly noteworthy in the case of pancreatic cancer, a notoriously difficult-to-detect disease with a poor prognosis when identified at later stages. A large-scale real-world pancreatic cancer detection study, published in Nature Medicine by DAMO Academy and a consortium of over 10 medical institutions, revealed an impressive sensitivity of 92.9% and a specificity of 99.9% achieved by their AI model. This technology is already being implemented in two hospitals within China’s Zhejiang province as part of Alibaba’s philanthropic program, demonstrating its real-world potential.
The DAMO Academy and WHO Collaborating Center on Digital Health partnership represents a significant milestone in the global healthcare landscape. By combining expertise and resources, this collaboration holds immense promise for expanding access to advanced medical AI solutions in developing countries. This, in turn, has the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery and improve health outcomes for millions around the world.
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