The Asia Pacific (APAC) region is leading global trends for digital transformation in the workplace, outpacing other regions in several key metrics.
According to a report by Zoho, APAC is swiftly progressing toward workplace digital transformation by leveraging emerging technologies. This report reveals that APAC surpasses the global average of 62.3% for digital maturity, achieving an impressive score of 66.35%.
Per the report, workplaces in APAC are adopting artificial intelligence (AI) at remarkable rates, with projected adoption hitting 54% by 2024. APAC’s AI adoption figures are nearly double the global average, spurred by a rising number of applications in customer service, coding, automation, and personalized services.
Beyond generative AI, APAC workplaces are increasingly investing in novel cybersecurity solutions to fortify security measures. The trends indicate a significant increase in the use of multi-factor authentication solutions and comprehensive cybersecurity training, currently standing at 40% and 44%, respectively.
When compared to global averages, APAC’s cybersecurity adoption rates are notably higher, particularly regarding remote work policies. APAC continues to set the bar with the implementation of access controls aligned to employee roles alongside efficient password management tools.
However, concerns arise as incident reporting within APAC workplaces lags behind global standards, highlighting potential issues in overall security practices.
Another burgeoning domain in APAC’s digital transformation is the adoption of collaborative tools, such as team chat applications and internal request management systems, recording usage rates of 72% and 56%. Despite these advancements, Zoho’s report underscores deficiencies in structured document collaboration, lagging at only 32% adoption.
Observing the trends, it’s evident that while APAC workplaces are leading in numerous respects, there remains ample room for enhancement in various domains.
Heightened investment will birth even higher metrics for APAC
The report emphasizes that increased investment in digital transformation initiatives could significantly elevate the operational standards of APAC workplaces in the near future. While trends in AI and cybersecurity dominate, experts anticipate growing use cases for blockchain in enhancing security and automation within workplaces.
Countries like China and Vietnam are ramping up their investment in blockchain applications for payment systems, while Hong Kong expands its exploration of Web3 initiatives. Both Hong Kong and the broader Southeast Asian region stand poised to drive substantial advancements in workplace digitization with emerging technologies.
Malaysia’s political party uses blockchain for internal voting amid concerns
In a notable development, Malaysia’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has opted to implement blockchain technology in its recent internal elections, a move that could shape the future of political processes in the nation.
The recently concluded internal election marks a pioneering effort for PKR to utilize blockchain for its voting procedures. Yet, this innovation has not come without controversy; accusations of manipulation and sabotage have surfaced during the voting process.
Despite these challenges, Tuaran PKR division chief Razeef Rakimin defended the party’s choice to adopt a blockchain-based voting system. Rakimin acknowledged that while the implementation was not entirely seamless, the benefits of blockchain’s security and immutability render it superior to traditional systems.
“Of course, there will be some shortcomings as it’s a new system,” said Rakimin. “However, for a system that has strong security like blockchain, it is almost impossible to be breached.”
Nevertheless, disputes have arisen regarding discrepancies in poll results, casting shadows over the voting process’s credibility. Rakimin highlighted that significant inconsistencies among candidates’ vote counts raised concerns about potential flaws in the system. Poll results are still pending, yet the party’s central leadership will convene to weigh the irregularities and decide on necessary actions.
Despite the challenges faced in this inaugural attempt at blockchain-based voting, Rakimin believes improvements are possible and that the overall process was a step forward in election security.
Malaysia is integrating emerging technologies into its economy
While the initial foray into blockchain-based voting may have encountered hurdles, the nation’s engagement with blockchain in finance is witnessing rapid advancement. Malaysia’s central bank is actively exploring tokenization for on-chain settlement and harnessing blockchain to combat corruption.
Moreover, the country is pushing forward its blockchain agenda with policies aimed at promoting adoption across various sectors. One noteworthy initiative involves the potential issuance of halal certifications on blockchain, aiming to eradicate fraud and counterfeit practices.
For artificial intelligence (AI) to function optimally within legislative frameworks and thrive amid evolving challenges, it must integrate an enterprise blockchain system that ensures data integrity and ownership—facilitating secure data handling while guaranteeing the immutability of information.
Check out CoinGeek’s coverage on this emerging tech to learn more why Enterprise blockchain will be the backbone of AI.
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