Category: Attraction

  • 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.

  • 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.

    {“ARInfo”:{“IsUseAR”:false},”Version”:”1.0.0″,”MakeupInfo”:{“IsUseMakeup”:false},”FaceliftInfo”:{“IsChangeEyeLift”:false,”IsChangeFacelift”:false,”IsChangePostureLift”:false,”IsChangeNose”:false,”IsChangeFaceChin”:false,”IsChangeMouth”:false,”IsChangeThinFace”:false},”BeautyInfo”:{“SwitchMedicatedAcne”:false,”IsAIBeauty”:false,”IsBrightEyes”:false,”IsSharpen”:false,”IsOldBeauty”:false,”IsReduceBlackEyes”:false},”HandlerInfo”:{“AppName”:2},”FilterInfo”:{“IsUseFilter”:false}}

    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.

  • Shell Malaysia Collaborates with CARiNG Pharmacy to Offer Healthcare Essentials at Shell SELECT Stores

    Shell Malaysia Collaborates with CARiNG Pharmacy to Offer Healthcare Essentials at Shell SELECT Stores

    Shell Malaysia and CARiNG Pharmacy Partner to Bring Everyday Healthcare to SELECT Stores Nationwide. Shell Malaysia has taken a significant step toward enhancing its retail experience by partnering with CARiNG Pharmacy to offer a wide range of healthcare essentials at over 600 Shell SELECT stores across Peninsular Malaysia. This strategic collaboration reflects Shell’s ongoing commitment to transforming its petrol marts into comprehensive, one-stop convenience destinations that cater to the evolving needs of Malaysian consumers. By incorporating pharmacy-grade over-the-counter medications—including pain relievers, cold and flu remedies, and digestive health solutions—Shell SELECT now offers a more holistic shopping experience, complementing its existing selection of food, beverages, Shell Café’s barista-crafted coffee and baked goods, Shell Car Care products, and Shell Recharge EV charging hubs.

    This initiative introduces a dedicated CARiNG Pharmacy bay within Shell SELECT stores, ensuring that health and wellness essentials are easily accessible for customers on the move. The partnership is part of Shell’s long-term vision to redefine convenience retailing, with a focus on enriching everyday journeys through quality service and trusted offerings. According to Seow Lee Ming, General Manager of Mobility & Convenience at Shell Malaysia, the collaboration reinforces Shell’s role as a reliable partner that understands and meets the daily lifestyle and health needs of Malaysians.

    Chong Yeow Siang, Managing Director of CARiNG Pharmacy, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the partnership is aligned with CARiNG’s mission to make healthcare more accessible. With Shell’s extensive retail network, the collaboration enables CARiNG to bring its trusted products closer to more communities, making healthcare a convenient part of daily routines.

    Together, Shell Malaysia and CARiNG Pharmacy are reshaping convenience retail by placing health and well-being at the heart of the customer experience—delivering greater peace of mind, accessibility, and value at every stop.

  • Malaysia Launches Industry-Focused Mechatronics Tracks to Drive Industry 4.0 Transformation

    Malaysia Launches Industry-Focused Mechatronics Tracks to Drive Industry 4.0 Transformation

    Taylor’s University Pioneers Malaysia’s First Mechatronics Engineering Degree with Specialised Tracks in Robotics and AI. Taylor’s University has once again solidified its reputation as a leader in innovative education with the launch of Malaysia’s first Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering with Honours to offer specialised tracks in Robotics Systems and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This groundbreaking four-year programme represents a major step forward in preparing a new generation of engineers to drive Malaysia’s Industry 4.0 transformation.

    Blending mechanical engineering, electronics, robotics, and AI, the multidisciplinary programme is aligned with Malaysia’s National Policy on Industry 4.0, which prioritises technological advancements across 12 key sectors. The course is designed to equip students with the skills needed to innovate in fast-evolving industries such as healthcare, automotive, manufacturing, and aerospace—all of which are undergoing rapid transformation through automation and intelligent systems.

    “With the global Mechatronics market expected to reach USD 2.25 billion by 2031, this programme doesn’t just prepare our students to fill roles—it positions them to lead the future of engineering,” said Professor Ts Dr Sim Yee Wai, Acting Executive Dean of the Faculty of Innovation & Technology. “Taylor’s University is placing students at the forefront of Industry 4.0 by offering an education grounded in both current industry demands and future technologies.”

    The programme is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Council, making graduates eligible for registration with the Board of Engineers Malaysia, which is a signatory to the Washington Accord. This ensures that graduates meet internationally recognised standards and are able to pursue careers as Professional Engineers both locally and abroad.

    Ir Dr Phang Swee King, Programme Director from Taylor’s School of Engineering, explained, “Our goal is not just to produce job-ready engineers, but future shapers. Through a curriculum that combines critical thinking, innovation, and hands-on learning, we are cultivating graduates who will drive robotics, automation, and AI forward—not simply adapt to it.”

    What truly sets this programme apart is its real-world integration with industry. Through strategic partnerships with global tech leaders such as DJI Academy Malaysia and Unitree Robotics, students benefit from early exposure to state-of-the-art technology via Taylor’s in-house Engineering Undergraduates for Industrial Adoption (EUFORIA) and EUFORIA Type-Research (R) programmes. These collaborations allow students to begin working on industry projects as early as Year 2, gaining vital experience and employable skills long before graduation.

    “At DJI Academy Malaysia, this collaboration marks our first academic partnership, and we see tremendous potential in shaping future-ready engineers together,” said Darren Teh, General Manager of DJI Academy Malaysia. “We are excited to co-develop talent that will innovate global solutions in robotics and automation.”

    Students also engage in multidisciplinary group projects and hands-on initiatives via the university’s Robotics Club, further enhancing their practical capabilities. For those seeking an international academic edge, Taylor’s offers a fast-tracked 2+2 Master’s Pathway with the University of Birmingham in the UK—enabling students to earn both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Mechatronics & Robotic Engineering.

    Recognised among the top 450 global universities for Engineering & Technology in the QS World University Rankings 2025, Taylor’s University continues to raise the bar in education innovation. With the launch of this pioneering programme, the institution reinforces its commitment to shaping Malaysia’s digital and industrial future—developing engineers who are not only industry-ready but globally competitive.