Author: Destina Asia

  • World Broadens Global Alliances with Breakthrough ‘Proof of Human’ Technology

    World Broadens Global Alliances with Breakthrough ‘Proof of Human’ Technology

    World Expands Global Reach with New “Proof of Human” Technology and Strategic Partnerships. At its recent “At Last” event in San Francisco, World — the human-first digital network — unveiled a slate of groundbreaking updates and global partnerships designed to reinforce its mission of creating a universal standard for proving humanness online. The announcements come as identity theft, AI-driven impersonation, and deepfake scams increasingly threaten user safety and trust across digital platforms. With over 26 million users now part of the World Network, the platform is accelerating efforts to safeguard real human presence in the age of artificial intelligence.

    Among the most notable partnerships revealed were collaborations with Visa, Match Group, and Razer, each integrating World ID into their respective ecosystems. The upcoming World Visa Card will allow users to spend WLD and other digital currencies directly from the World App at any location that accepts Visa. Meanwhile, Match Group — the parent company of Tinder — will begin implementing World ID into its dating platforms, starting in Japan. This integration allows users to confirm the authenticity of matches without compromising personal data, aiming to restore trust and genuine human interaction in online dating amid the rise of AI-generated fake profiles.

    Gaming giant Razer also joined the effort, planning to embed World ID into its hardware and create human-only gaming experiences, including exclusive eSports events and in-store Orb verification points. These updates coincide with the launch of Orb Mini, a compact version of the physical verification device, and collaborations with companies like Circle (to support USDC transactions), Kalshi, and Morpho for mini-app integrations. World also officially launched its network in the United States, marking a significant milestone in its global expansion.

    The push for more secure digital identity verification is especially timely in Malaysia, where cybercrime is on the rise. In 2024 alone, the country saw 770 cases of romance scams, with losses exceeding RM45.9 million. Simultaneously, public warnings have been issued about deepfake content impersonating well-known figures and falsely promoting investment scams. Tools like World ID could offer a crucial layer of protection, helping Malaysians and users globally distinguish between real human interactions and AI-driven impersonations.

    Speaking at the event, Sam Altman, Chairman and co-founder of Tools for Humanity, emphasized the importance of distinguishing real human-generated content in an AI-dominated internet. “We needed a way to make sure that humans stayed special and central in a world where the internet was going to have lots of AI-driven content,” he said.

    World ID uses zero-knowledge proofs and privacy-preserving encryption to allow users to verify their humanity once — using either a passport or Orb — and then carry that proof across multiple platforms without disclosing personal data such as names, emails, or phone numbers. This technology is particularly relevant in social, financial, and community applications, where maintaining trust is increasingly challenging.

    With over 12 million Orb-verified users and 5.4 million people using World Mini Apps daily, World is quickly becoming a cornerstone for trusted, secure digital identity worldwide. Malaysians interested in joining the network can download the World App on iOS or Android and verify themselves via Orb or passport to begin accessing an ecosystem where every interaction starts with proof of personhood.

    To learn more about World and its growing suite of human-first technologies, users are encouraged to visit the official World website or connect on social platforms including Instagram, Twitter/X, WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

  • SAP Transforms the Future of Work With Intelligent Business AI

    SAP Unveils Game-Changing Business AI Innovations at SAP Sapphire 2025. At its annual SAP Sapphire conference, SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) introduced a suite of groundbreaking innovations and strategic partnerships designed to embed Business AI across every facet of enterprise operations. Central to this announcement was the expanded deployment of Joule, SAP’s generative AI assistant, now integrated more deeply across systems to deliver real-time, personalized insights and enhance productivity by up to 30%. With this move, SAP aims to revolutionize how work gets done—ushering in a new era of AI-powered enterprise efficiency.

    SAP CEO Christian Klein emphasized the strategic vision behind the launch, stating, “SAP combines the world’s most powerful suite of business applications with uniquely rich data and the latest AI innovations to create a flywheel of customer value.” From predictive analytics to AI-assisted workflows, SAP’s updated tools are designed to support businesses through today’s complex and unpredictable landscape.

    Joule now goes beyond the boundaries of SAP’s application suite. Through a collaboration with WalkMe, Joule’s new action bar proactively learns from user behavior, providing anticipatory support across various systems. Another significant enhancement comes from SAP’s partnership with Perplexity, an AI-powered answer engine, which enables Joule to respond to complex business queries using structured, visualized data—bridging real-time insights with real-world events and business KPIs.

    SAP also introduced an expanded network of Joule Agents, autonomous AI systems that operate across lines of business—from customer experience and supply chain to finance and HR. These agents can adapt, act, and automate core business processes, helping enterprises remain agile in a fast-moving world. These agents are built on SAP’s massive real-time data infrastructure and connect with external partners to execute full end-to-end operations autonomously.

    Additionally, SAP revealed AI Foundation, a comprehensive operating system for AI development. This new platform provides developers with a unified entry point to build, extend, and deploy custom AI solutions. A collaborative tool created with frontier AI lab Not Diamond, the prompt optimizer, accelerates the creation of high-performing AI prompts—dramatically cutting development time.

    Data plays a key role in SAP’s AI vision. The company’s Business Data Cloud now features new intelligent applications tailored for individual business functions. These applications leverage machine learning to simulate outcomes, anticipate needs, and offer actionable insights in real time. For example, the People Intelligence app transforms workforce data into AI-generated recommendations to improve team performance and skill allocation.

    Further strengthening SAP’s enterprise data capabilities is its strategic partnership with Palantir, enabling seamless integration between Palantir’s platforms and SAP Business Data Cloud. This alliance is expected to support major modernization initiatives, including those for the U.S. government, by providing a unified data foundation that enables faster decision-making and improved operational agility.

    SAP also introduced SAP Business Suite packages, designed to simplify cloud adoption by bundling SAP Build and other tools tailored to address specific business needs. A newly launched AI-driven solution aids businesses in cloud migration, offering personalized guidance through Joule, SAP Signavio, and SAP LeanIX. This solution can reduce transition timelines by up to 35%.

    With these bold moves, SAP is not only transforming how enterprises adopt and deploy AI but is also positioning itself as a leader in democratizing access to intelligent technologies. As Business AI becomes the new standard for digital transformation, SAP is ensuring that enterprises are equipped to thrive—no matter how complex their future may be.

  • Ringkas Secures US\$5.1M in Pre-Series A Funding to Expand AI-Driven Mortgage Solutions Across Malaysia and Southeast Asia

    Ringkas Secures US\$5.1M in Pre-Series A Funding to Expand AI-Driven Mortgage Solutions Across Malaysia and Southeast Asia

    Ringkas Raises US\$5.1M Pre-Series A to Expand AI-Powered Mortgage Solutions Across Southeast Asia. Ringkas, a fast-growing embedded financial infrastructure platform, has successfully secured US\$5.1 million in its Pre-Series A funding round, marking a major milestone in its mission to simplify and scale access to mortgage financing across Southeast Asia. The round drew participation from notable investors including Flourish Ventures, Kadan Capital, and several strategic and existing backers, underscoring strong investor confidence in Ringkas’ vision to transform the region’s home financing ecosystem.

    Founded with the ambition to break down barriers to homeownership, Ringkas aims to empower millions of Southeast Asians with faster, smarter, and more accessible mortgage solutions. The new capital injection will fuel the company’s regional expansion and deepen its investment in artificial intelligence capabilities. As part of this growth strategy, Ringkas is actively recruiting top AI talent across Vietnam and Southeast Asia, positioning the region as a hub for AI innovation in financial services.

    Ringkas has already made significant strides in the market, operating in 47 cities, partnering with 150 property projects, and collaborating with 29 banks through 700 branches. These achievements lay a strong foundation for the platform’s next phase of scale and innovation, as it continues to build an AI-driven ecosystem that integrates seamlessly into consumers’ everyday digital lives.

    “Our mission is to build a seamless, AI-driven financial infrastructure platform that embeds into the everyday digital lives of Southeast Asians,” said Ilya Kravtsov, Co-founder of Ringkas. “This investment helps us move faster in making mortgage finance more accessible while laying the groundwork for broader financial inclusion through future AI capabilities.”

    Across markets like Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia, millions of families still face systemic barriers to obtaining affordable mortgage financing. Ringkas addresses this challenge by providing personalized mortgage recommendations, real-time financial advisory, and pre-approvals through embedded partnerships with banks, property developers, and digital platforms.

    The company’s progress has attracted attention from global investors. “Ringkas has emerged as the leading platform making homeownership in Indonesia more accessible and seamless. The visionary founding team and their powerful network of partners have reinforced our belief in the company,” said Rei Murakami Frenzel, Founding Partner at Kadan Capital.

    Ravi Kaushik, Executive Director at Flourish Ventures, added, “Ringkas is addressing one of the region’s most pressing challenges by making mortgage financing more accessible through technology. Their strong execution in Indonesia, combined with a thoughtful approach to regional expansion and AI integration, positions them well to build a meaningful and scalable financial solution for Southeast Asia.”

    Looking ahead, Ringkas plans to deepen its R\&D and AI development footprint in Vietnam, leveraging the country’s vibrant tech talent and growing digital economy. As the company accelerates its expansion, this Pre-Series A round signals not only a strategic leap toward transforming access to homeownership, but also a broader commitment to building a resilient, inclusive financial infrastructure for the future of Southeast Asia.

  • EternityX Accelerates Malaysia Expansion to Capitalize on China’s Outbound Tourism Surge

    EternityX Accelerates Malaysia Expansion to Capitalize on China’s Outbound Tourism Surge

    EternityX Strengthens Malaysia Presence to Capitalize on China’s Outbound Travel Surge. EternityX Marketing Technology is deepening its commitment to Southeast Asia with the strategic expansion of its leadership team in Malaysia, positioning the country as a vital hub in its cross-border growth strategy. Framing Malaysia as “more than just a stopover—it’s a strategic launchpad,” CEO Charlene Ree announced the move as part of EternityX’s broader ambition to empower brands with real-time consumer intelligence, regional fluency, and data-driven marketing execution across the China-Southeast Asia corridor.

    The expansion comes at a pivotal time. With Chinese outbound travel rebounding sharply—57.8 million travellers ventured abroad during the 2025 Labour Day holiday alone, marking a 121% year-on-year increase—Malaysia is rapidly emerging as a high-impact zone for brands targeting Chinese audiences. The expected surge during upcoming Golden Week and summer holidays only amplifies the opportunity. EternityX aims to help brands transform this behavioral data into tangible results, driving engagement and conversion through precision marketing tools and local market insight.

    To lead this ambitious push, EternityX has appointed a powerhouse local leadership team. At the helm is Meera Thuraivel as Managing Director, bringing more than 20 years of experience in digital transformation. Known for scaling Aleph’s operations and driving exponential revenue growth, Meera is a respected figure in Malaysia’s digital ecosystem. She also brings deep sectoral expertise across luxury, fashion, entertainment, and automotive, and is a founding member of the Malaysia Digital Association. “Malaysia is uniquely positioned for cross-border commerce,” she noted, citing the projected influx of 5 million Chinese tourists by 2025. “EternityX is primed to deliver culturally nuanced, AI-powered campaigns that meet the moment.”

    Joining her is Thresa Thian, appointed Executive Director, a seasoned expert in digital strategy, social listening, and regional partnerships. With over two decades of experience and a reputation for fusing deep consumer insight with scalable brand strategies, Thresa reinforces EternityX’s commitment to client success. “Chinese media marketing isn’t just about visibility—it’s about connection,” she said. “At EternityX, we ensure brands reach the right people with the right message using data-driven insights and top Chinese platforms.”

    Valerie Tan rounds out the leadership team as Senior Client Growth Manager, bringing valuable experience from Meta and X (formerly Twitter). With a deep understanding of both SMB and enterprise client needs, Valerie focuses on helping brands navigate platform dynamics and audience behavior. “With travel and retail converging, EternityX is here to ensure brands show up with clarity and cultural relevance,” she added.

    Malaysia’s strategic relevance is underscored by its growing Chinese diaspora, which accounts for 23.4% of the population, and its rapid digital transformation. In 2024 alone, 3.8 million Chinese tourists visited Malaysia—a 129% year-on-year increase. Digital wallet adoption is booming as well, with WeChat Pay and Alipay+ seeing dramatic rises in cross-border usage, particularly in Asia and Europe.

    Beyond travel volumes, consumer behavior is also evolving. Chinese tourists are increasingly digital-first, favoring mobile-based bookings, immersive travel experiences, and seamless digital payments. EternityX is uniquely positioned to help brands intercept and engage these consumers across every touchpoint. Through its proprietary ecosystem—including PilotX for real-time behavioral targeting, MediaX for omnichannel campaign delivery on platforms like WeChat, Xiaohongshu, and Ctrip, and NaviX for data-led performance optimization—EternityX transforms consumer insight into brand advantage.

    Chief Business Officer Deric Wong emphasized the significance of Malaysia in the company’s global strategy. “Today’s Chinese traveller expects precision, relevance, and ease. Meera, Thresa, and Valerie bring the expertise and agility to help our partners deliver on those expectations,” he said. “Malaysia isn’t just part of our network—it’s a growth engine we’re scaling with purpose.”

    With this strategic expansion, EternityX reinforces its position as a market leader at the intersection of East-West marketing, ready to help brands seize the next wave of cross-border opportunity.

  • EternityX Accelerates Global Expansion with Key Executive Appointments in Malaysia, Thailand, Guangzhou, and Shanghai

    EternityX Accelerates Global Expansion with Key Executive Appointments in Malaysia, Thailand, Guangzhou, and Shanghai

    EternityX Expands Regional Leadership to Accelerate Global Growth Across Southeast Asia and China. EternityX Marketing Technology is strengthening its global footprint with a series of strategic executive appointments across Malaysia, Thailand, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. This expansion marks a significant step in the company’s broader growth strategy, aimed at reinforcing regional market expertise and enhancing cross-border marketing capabilities. As the demand for China-ready solutions continues to rise, EternityX is positioning itself to deliver greater commercial value through localised leadership and data-driven execution.

    CEO Charlene Ree emphasized that this move goes beyond geographic expansion—it reflects a deliberate scale-up of leadership to support the company’s next phase of growth. “We’re investing in market-makers who bring deep local knowledge and regional vision,” Ree stated. “Our strengthened leadership footprint gives us the on-the-ground firepower to activate campaigns with speed, align with enterprise goals, and deliver results across borders. This is how EternityX scales—by transforming complexity into competitive advantage.”

    At the core of EternityX’s mission is enabling global brands to navigate and win in the complex Chinese media and consumer landscape. By operating at the intersection of East-West marketing transformation, the company delivers AI-powered precision marketing that connects brands with Chinese audiences both within China and abroad. The latest leadership appointments underscore EternityX’s commitment to scaling its operations through market-led execution and strategic agility.

    In Malaysia, Meera Thuraivel joins as Managing Director, bringing over two decades of experience in building high-performing teams and trusted client partnerships across industries like luxury beauty, fashion, and entertainment. Her leadership is complemented by Thresa Thian, appointed Executive Director, who adds deep digital media expertise and a proven track record in scaling regional initiatives. Supporting them is Valerie Tan, Senior Client Growth Manager, who brings valuable insights from her tenure at Meta and X (formerly Twitter), focusing on enhancing planner servicing and brand engagement with Chinese platforms.

    In Thailand, Chalida Raksanaves steps in as Business Development Director, leveraging over 10 years of strategic advertising experience and a sharp understanding of cross-cultural media engagement. She is joined by Nitiwat Jiraphatthasiri, Senior Business Development Manager, who brings full-funnel marketing expertise and a strong grasp of behavioral targeting to help brands achieve measurable business impact.

    On the innovation front, Simon Zhong leads as Head of Insights & Product Innovation in Guangzhou. A pioneer in marketing science, Simon brings extensive experience from working with top-tier brands and platforms such as BMW, Burberry, and Tencent. He is tasked with advancing PilotX, EternityX’s proprietary AI platform, into a category-defining solution that offers actionable insights and strategic clarity for brands operating in China.

    In Shanghai, Celin Chen serves as Deputy General Manager, contributing over 12 years of experience across leading brands and agencies. Her focus lies in driving go-to-market excellence and delivering commercial outcomes in one of Asia’s most competitive digital arenas.

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    Deric Wong, Chief Business Officer, Global, highlighted the importance of this leadership expansion: “With Meera and Simon joining the team, and with Thresa, Valerie, Chalida, Nitiwat, and Celin strengthening our presence across key markets, EternityX now has the strategic depth and operational excellence to lead our clients through the evolving China opportunity. We’re not just opening doors—we’re leading our clients through them with precision, purpose, and performance.”

    As Southeast Asia and China continue to converge as high-growth zones for Chinese consumer engagement, EternityX’s reinforced regional leadership signals a bold, forward-thinking approach to market expansion—one that blends innovation, local insight, and global ambition.