Latest news with #DigitalTransformation
Forbes
7 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Forget 'Digital Transformation'—For SMEs Today, It's Digital Survival
Thanh Pham is the CEO of Saigon Technology, a global software development company. "Digital transformation" for a Fortune 500 company is about optimizing a sprawling empire. For small- and medium-sized enterprises—for your business—it's not about optimization. It's about survival. It's about carving out a future when the landscape shifts underfoot faster than ever. Forget the glossy brochures and abstract frameworks. This is about gritty reality, about staying alive and, if you play your cards right, thriving in a market that shows no mercy. Today's customer, conditioned by the seamless experiences offered by market leaders, doesn't care if you have a global HQ or a single storefront. They demand immediacy, expect personalization and want frictionless everything. Fail to deliver on that expectation, and they're gone. Empowering People, Not Replacing Them This isn't about replacing the handshake with an algorithm. It's about making that handshake matter more by offloading the admin work that burns out your best people. • The clock is ticking faster. How many hours does your team burn wrestling with invoices, manually tracking inventory or fielding the same 10 customer questions every day? Each hour spent on a task that a machine could do is an hour not spent on growing the business. Automate those processes. Free up your sharpest minds. • Know thy customer (for real). Are you guessing or knowing what your customers want? A modern CRM isn't a glorified Rolodex; it's a living database of preferences, behaviors and buying signals. It turns anecdotes into actionable intelligence. Suddenly, you're not just reacting to customer needs; you're proactively connecting and predicting, building loyalty that your competitors might not have. • See around corners. Running a business on gut feel is admirable, but in today's market, it's a gamble you can't afford. Digital tools can provide clear, real-time data on sales trends, operational bottlenecks and emerging opportunities before they become obvious to everyone else. • Become a chameleon. Remember needing a massive, depreciating server room? That's history. The cloud is your near-infinitely scalable infrastructure. You can ramp up for a seasonal rush or pivot the entire company to remote work. This agility isn't just a convenience; it's a strategic defense against market shocks. • Punch above your weight. While your larger, slower competition is stuck in approval meetings and buried under legacy systems, you're already sprinting. You're delivering. You're reaching customers in places and ways they never expected. Digital agility is the ultimate equalizer. It isn't just about keeping pace; it's about setting a pace that your bigger rivals can't match. The Gritty Playbook: A No-Nonsense Guide 1. Define your "why." Before you consider a single piece of software, nail down the specific problem you are solving. Write it down as a clear, measurable goal: "We will cut time spent on manual invoicing by 50% within three months" or "We will increase our qualified sales leads by 25% this quarter by automating our follow-up process." 2. Take your digital pulse. Get a brutally honest assessment of where you are right now. This isn't a critique; it's your battlefield map. Here's how: • Inventory your tools. List all software, apps and platforms your business currently uses. What are you paying for? What's collecting dust? Where are the information silos? • Hunt for manual work. Walk through your core operations—from lead to invoice—and identify every point that requires manual data entry, a printed form or a copy-paste email. These are your prime targets for automation. • Survey the troops. Anonymously ask your employees: "What is the most inefficient or frustratingly repetitive task you do?" Their answers are a goldmine for identifying the biggest pain points and the easiest wins. 3. Think small, win big. Forget massive, multi-year "rip and replace" projects that drain morale and capital. Pick one thing. Automate one report. Digitize one form. Get a quick, undeniable win. This approach is your best weapon against a team's natural resistance to change, as it replaces fear with tangible proof of progress. Build momentum and earn the buy-in for the next step. 4. Go cloud-first. Your own servers are a relic. Embrace the cloud. It's flexible, secure and usually affordable. It's where all modern, collaborative software lives. No more monstrous upfront capital investments, just predictable operating expenses. 5. Arm your people: Your tech is only as good as the team that wields it. Upskill them without a formal training budget: • Host "lunch and learns." Have a team member who has mastered a new tool show everyone else how it works. • Use vendor resources. Most modern software providers offer extensive free video tutorials, knowledge bases and webinars. Make them part of the rollout. • Appoint "digital champions." Designate a tech-savvy person on each team as the go-to expert for new tools. This empowers them and supports their colleagues. 6. Lock down your digital doors. More digital means more vulnerability. Strong passwords, multifactor authentication and automated data backups are non-negotiable. Train your team relentlessly to spot phishing emails. A single data breach can destroy customer trust and a reputation you've spent years building. 7. Don't go solo; vet your guide. You don't have to become a tech guru. Lean on consultants or freelancers, but choose wisely. The cost of a bad partner is far greater than their fee; it's months of wasted time and money spent on wrong turns. Ask them pointedly: "Can you show me case studies for businesses my size and in my industry?" "How, specifically, will you measure the success of this project against our business goals?" "What does your support and hand-off process look like after we launch?" Why The Time To Act Is Now The digital future isn't some abstract concept on a PowerPoint slide anymore. It's here. It's gritty. For every SME that embraces it with purpose and pragmatism, it's not just about surviving another year—it's about fundamentally reshaping what's possible, grabbing a bigger slice of the pie and finally unlocking the true, human potential that's been trapped under a mountain of analog processes. The time for hesitation is over. It's time to jump in. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Khaleej Times
13 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Hybrid work has changed everything – now it needs to catch up
The way people work has shifted permanently. Hybrid models are now standard, employees operate across locations and time zones, and expectations for seamless, secure digital experiences continue to rise. Yet many organisations are still managing IT the old way, juggling disconnected tools, reacting to issues after they occur, and struggling to deliver consistency. What's needed is a smarter, more unified approach. HP's Workforce Experience Platform (WXP) is designed to meet this moment, helping IT teams take control of complex digital environments while improving the way people interact with their devices. Now available in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, WXP brings these capabilities directly to regional organisations looking to modernise IT operations, streamline device management, and elevate employee experiences at scale. From reactive to predictive WXP centralises IT management across entire fleets - from PCs and printers to meeting room technologies - regardless of brand or operating system. It pulls real-time data from more than 24 million devices globally and is already deployed across 680,000 endpoints. The platform automatically identifies and helps resolve more than 11 million IT issues each month. With AI-driven analytics and natural language processing, WXP enables IT teams to ask simple, human-language questions, such as which devices are showing signs of failure, and receive immediate, actionable insights. This means faster response, fewer disruptions, and improved service delivery without the complexity of multiple dashboards and tools. Better digital experiences drive better outcomes The quality of a company's digital infrastructure directly affects employee productivity and satisfaction. According to HP's 2024 Work Relationship Index, only 28% of global knowledge workers say they have a healthy relationship with work, with digital friction playing a significant role. WXP helps organisations identify where that friction occurs - whether through poor device performance, slow support, or underperforming applications. It collects sentiment data, monitors device usage, and offers tailored recommendations to IT teams for improvement. In practice, this can lead to fewer helpdesk tickets, smarter device refresh cycles, and better day-to-day experiences for employees. Security built in, not bolted on WXP includes built-in security through HP Wolf Security, offering endpoint protection aligned with global standards. It monitors and mitigates risks at the device level, providing IT teams with the visibility they need to respond quickly and maintain compliance. The platform also integrates with widely used enterprise tools, such as Microsoft Intune, ServiceNow, Power BI, and Tableau, ensuring compatibility without disruption to existing systems. Designed for transformation at scale As organisations across the region continue investing in digital transformation, there is a growing need for platforms that do more than manage IT, they must enable smarter decisions, improve experiences, and unlock efficiency. WXP supports these goals with AI-powered automation, clear ROI tracking, and flexible deployment. It shifts the role of IT from support to strategy, empowering teams to deliver consistent, proactive experiences across the organisation.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
IGEL Expands Zero Trust Capabilities with Zscaler Client Connector on IGEL App Portal
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Aug. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IGEL, the secure endpoint OS platform fit for purpose in the modern enterprise, today announced that the Zscaler Client Connector (ZCC) is now available via the IGEL App Portal. With this new integration, organizations can extend true Zero Trust security and intelligent cloud connectivity to IGEL-powered endpoints, accelerating secure digital transformation for distributed and hybrid workforces. Zscaler is a strategic IGEL Ready partner and a recognized leader in Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Security Service Edge (SSE)."Protecting organizations and their employees from ransomware, data loss, and evolving cyber threats is the top challenge for IT and security teams, especially as hybrid and remote work become the norm,' said Jim Airdo, Senior Vice President of Strategic Alliances at IGEL. 'With Zscaler Client Connector on the IGEL App Portal, enterprises can fast-track their Zero Trust journey—proactively safeguarding critical assets across any cloud or endpoint, all within IGEL's Preventative Security Model™.' "At Zscaler, we're dedicated to safeguarding enterprises from cyber threats while empowering end-users to remain productive across any application, on any device, from anywhere," said David Creedy, Director of Product Management at Zscaler. "Partnering with IGEL, a leader in endpoint device security and exceptional end-user experiences, ensures that customers benefit from robust protection at every endpoint. In today's world of distributed workforces and evolving cyber threats, this collaboration delivers a comprehensive solution that addresses the unique security demands of modern businesses." Zscaler Client Connector: Simplifying and Securing Cloud Access Zscaler Client Connector is a lightweight agent that is designed to securely connect endpoints to the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange™ platform. Available now on the IGEL App Portal, this integration delivers: Zero Trust Security: Enforces policy-driven Zero Trust enforcement for all internet-bound and cloud workload communications using Zscaler Internet Access™ (ZIA™) and Zscaler Private Access™ (ZPA™). Simplified Operations: Reduces the need for complex routing, firewalls, and legacy proxies, reducing costs and operational overheads, delivering scalability, resilience, and lower cost. Seamless Multi-Cloud Connectivity: Enables secure, policy-driven connectivity across AWS, Azure, and other public or private clouds, including app-to-app and app-to-internet scenarios. Real-Time Visibility: Provides centralized logging, dashboards, and insights for monitoring workload communications and application health. Rapid Deployment: Fully orchestrated deployment options for AWS and Azure. Supports rapid deployment via automation tools like Terraform and CloudFormation, accelerating time to value. Strategic Impact for IGEL Customers IGEL is a transformative secure endpoint OS Platform engineered for SaaS, DaaS, VDI, and Enterprise Browser environments. Through its Preventative Security Model™, IGEL reduces the endpoint attack surface by up to 95% and lowers endpoint total cost of ownership (TCO) by up to 75%. IGEL OS is seamless to manage, designed for sustainability, and supports secure, flexible work for any organization. The partnership with Zscaler further strengthens IGEL's Preventative Security Model—delivering end-to-end security, proactive threat prevention, and a seamless, high-performance experience for users. By integrating Zscaler Client Connector with IGEL's Immutable Endpoint OS, organizations can: Secure IGEL-powered endpoints with advanced threat prevention and data loss protection. Simplify network architecture and consolidate security controls—lowering TCO by replacing multiple point products with a unified solution. Support M&A, hybrid cloud, and business transformation with consistent, scalable security policies across diverse environments. Availability Zscaler Client Connector is available now via the IGEL App Portal. For more information. visit the IGEL Ready Showcase page. IGEL Ready is an open ecosystem enabling partners to integrate their offerings with IGEL's secure endpoint platform—driving business growth, delivering flexible access to enterprise applications, and building customer confidence in joint solutions. About IGEL IGEL is the secure endpoint OS platform for now & next. Purpose-built for VDI, DaaS, SaaS, and secure browsing, IGEL OS delivers a high-performance user experience while dramatically simplifying endpoint management. Through its Preventative Security Model™, IGEL enforces Zero Trust principles by design — using a modular, read-only OS with no local data to eliminate common attack surfaces. By extending device lifespans and reducing software overhead, IGEL helps organizations cut total cost of ownership and achieve sustainability goals. Trusted globally across healthcare, financial services, retail, manufacturing, and government sectors, IGEL enables secure, sustainable, and centrally managed digital workspaces. Founded in 2001, IGEL is backed by a global IGEL Ready partner ecosystem of more than 100 integrated technology vendors, supporting customers in over 50 countries. For more information on what IGEL can do for you, visit Media Contacts Yocasta Valdez Carl Gersh Director Corporate Communications EVP Marketing press@ press@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
VEON 2Q25 Earnings Release: Direct Digital Revenues Up 57% YoY. Solid Execution, Strong Results
VEON 2Q25 Earnings Release: Direct Digital Revenues Up 57% YoY. Solid Execution, Strong Results Dubai, August 7, 2025 VEON 2Q25 Highlights Total revenue growth of 5.9% YoY to USD 1,087 million (11.2% YoY in local currency terms) EBITDA growth of 13.2% YoY to USD 520 million (19.6% YoY in local currency terms) Direct digital revenue growth of 56.6% YoY to USD 180 million (+62.4% YoY in local currency terms), representing 16.5% of revenues for quarter Total cash and cash equivalents and deposits of USD 1,283 million, with USD 206 million at headquarters ('HQ'); and gross debt at USD 4,627 million (increased by USD 250 million QoQ), with net debt excluding lease liabilities at USD 1,962 million (increased by USD 152 million QoQ) LTM Equity Free Cash Flow of USD 611 million, Capex of USD 231 million VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON), a global digital operator, announces selected financial and operating results for the second quarter ending June 30, 2025. For the second quarter, VEON revenues grew 5.9% year-on-year to USD 1,087 million in reported currency (USD). In local currency terms, 2Q25 growth was 11.2% YoY, exceeding the blended weighted average inflation rate in our operating countries of 8.6% in the quarter, showcasing our ability to implement fair pricing and capturing higher consumer wallet share. VEON's revenue performance was supported by increasingly robust direct digital revenue growth, which rose by 56.6% YoY in reported currency, and by 62.4% YoY in local currency terms. Direct digital revenues comprised 16.5% of total revenues in 2Q25, up from 5.4% a year ago. EBITDA reached USD 520 million, up 13.2% year-on-year in reported currency and growing 19.6% in local currency terms. Capex, at USD 231 million for 2Q25, implies a capex intensity of 21.3% for the quarter and LTM capex intensity of 21.4% (+3.4 p.p. YoY, 18.3% excl. Ukraine) as VEON focused on enhancing network quality and supporting its digital transformation initiatives. Total cash and cash equivalents and deposits as of June 30, 2025 amounted to USD 1,283 million (including USD 326 million related to customer deposits from banking operations in Pakistan) with USD 206 million held at the HQ level. Net debt to EBITDA, excluding lease liabilities, was at 1.32x as of June 30, 2025. Outlook for 2025 VEON is revising its 2025 outlook and now expects local currency revenue growth of 13% to 15% year-on-year, and local currency EBITDA growth of 14% to 16% year-on-year. The Group's capex intensity for 2025 is expected to remain within the 17% to 19% range. VEON's third and final phase of its previously announced share buyback program, which commenced on 17 June 2025, was completed on 01 August 2025. VEON acquired 722,588 ADSs for a total consideration of US$35 million as part of this third phase of buyback. With this, VEON has completed its previously announced (01 Aug 2024) US$100 million share buyback program. Commenting on the results, VEON Group CEO Kaan Terzioglu said: 'VEON has continued its strong momentum into the second quarter of 2025, delivering solid results that reflect both disciplined execution and strategic clarity. 'We are making rapid progress in our digital operator strategy. We welcomed Uklon to the VEON family in April, marking a strategic milestone and our commitment to expanding our digital services footprint and unlocking new growth opportunities. We deliver innovative and locally relevant digital services that enhance our customers' lives every minute of the day. Together, these strategies position VEON as a frontrunner in digital transformation across frontier markets. 'Looking ahead, our teams continue to execute with discipline, and the underlying demand across our markets remains robust. Consequently, we are revising our outlook for 2025 and now expect local currency revenue growth of between 13% to 15% year-on-year and local currency EBITDA growth of between 14% to 16% year-on-year. Capex intensity for 2025 is expected to remain within the range of 17% to 19%. We continue to focus on disciplined execution and innovation to deepen customer impact and enhance long-term shareholder value creation.' Additional information View the full 2Q25 Earnings Release View 2Q25 Results PresentationView 2Q25 Factbook 2Q25 results conference call VEON will also host a results conference call with senior management at 16:00 GST (14:00 CET, 8:00 EST) today. To register and access the event, please click here or copy and paste this link to the address bar of your browser: Once registered, you will receive registration confirmation on the email address mentioned during registration with the link to access the webcast and dial-in details to listen to the conference call over the phone. We strongly encourage you to watch the event through the webcast link, but if you prefer to dial in, then please use the dial-in details. Q&A If you want to participate in the Q&A session, we ask that you select the 'Yes' option on the 'Will you be asking questions live on the call?' dropdown. That will bring you to a page where you can join the Q&A room by clicking 'Connect to meeting'. You will be brought into a zoom webinar where you can listen to the presentation and once Q&A begins, if you have a question, please use the 'raise hand button' on the bottom of your zoom screen. When it is your turn to speak, the moderator will announce your name as well as sending a message to your screen asking you to confirm you want to talk. Once accepted, please unmute your mic and ask your question. You can also submit your questions prior the webcast event to VEON Investor Relations at ir@ About VEON VEON is a digital operator that provides converged connectivity and digital services to nearly 160 million customers. Operating across six countries that are home to more than 7% of the world's population, VEON is transforming lives through technology-driven services that empower individuals and drive economic growth. VEON is listed on NASDAQ. For more information, visit: Notice to readers: financial information presented VEON's results and other financial information presented in this document are, unless otherwise stated, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") based on internal management reporting, are the responsibility of management and have not been externally audited, reviewed, or verified. As such, you should not place undue reliance on this information. This information may not be indicative of the actual results for any future period. Notice to readers: impact of the war in Ukraine The ongoing war in Ukraine and the resulting sanctions adopted by the United States, member states of the European Union, the European Union itself, the United Kingdom, Ukraine and certain other nations, countersanctions and other legal and regulatory responses, as well as responses by our service providers, partners, suppliers and other counterparties, and the other indirect and direct consequences of the war have impacted and, if the war, such responses and other consequences continue or escalate, may significantly impact our results and aspects of our operations in Ukraine and may significantly affect our results and aspects of our operations in the other countries in which we operate. We are closely monitoring events in Ukraine, as well as the possibility of the imposition of further legal and regulatory restrictions in connection with the ongoing war in Ukraine and any potential impact the war may have on our results, whether directly or indirectly. Our operations in Ukraine continue to be affected by the war. We are doing everything we can to protect the safety of our employees, while continuing to ensure the uninterrupted operation of our communications, financial and digital services. Disclosure regarding Ukraine Tower Company (UTC) consolidation The financial results presented for Kyivstar as part of VEON Group's consolidated Q2 2025 financial statements include the full consolidation of Ukraine Tower Company LLC ('UTC'), consistent with its current ownership and control structure. However, it should be noted that in connection with the anticipated standalone listing of Kyivstar on Nasdaq, the financial disclosures prepared for the listed entity will exclude UTC, as UTC will not be consolidated within the scope of the listed Kyivstar entity at the time of listing. Disclaimer VEON's results and other financial information presented in this document are, unless otherwise stated, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and have not been externally reviewed and/or audited. The financial information included in this document is preliminary and is based on a number of assumptions that are subject to inherent uncertainties and subject to change. The financial information presented herein is based on internal management accounts, is the responsibility of management and is subject to financial closing procedures which have not yet been completed and has not been audited, reviewed or verified. Certain amounts and percentages that appear in this document have been subject to rounding adjustments. As a result, certain numerical figures shown as totals, including those in the tables, may not be an exact arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede or follow them. Although we believe the information to be reasonable, actual results may vary from the information contained above and such variations could be material. As such, you should not place undue reliance on this information. This information may not be indicative of the actual results for the current period or any future period. This document contains 'forward-looking statements', as the phrase is defined in Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as 'may,' 'might,' 'will,' 'could,' 'would,' 'should,' 'expect,' 'plan,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'seek,' 'believe,' 'estimate,' 'predict,' 'potential,' 'continue,' 'contemplate,' 'possible' and other similar words. Forward-looking statements include statements relating to, among other things, VEON's plans to implement its strategic priorities, operating model and development plans; VEON's ability to achieve anticipated performance results, including VEON's growth trajectory and ability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet upcoming obligations; VEON's intended expansion of its digital experience including through technologies such as artificial intelligence; VEON's assessment of the impact of the war in Ukraine, including related sanctions and counter-sanctions, on its current and future operations and financial condition; VEON's assessment of the impact of the political conflict in Bangladesh; future market developments and trends; operational and network development and network investment, including expectations regarding the roll-out and benefits of 3G/4G/LTE networks, as applicable; spectrum acquisitions and renewals; the effect of the acquisition of additional spectrum on customer experience; VEON's ability to realize the acquisition and disposition of any of its businesses and assets as well as the impact of the consolidation of such newly acquired business and assets, like Uklon into VEON's financials and results of operations; VEON's ability to execute its strategic transactions in the timeframes anticipated, or at all ,including VEON's ability to complete the business combination that will result in the listing of Kyivstar on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC; VEON's ability to realize financial improvements, including an expected reduction of net pro-forma leverage ratio following the successful completion of certain dispositions and acquisitions; its dividends; and VEON's ability to realize its targets and commercial initiatives in its various countries of operation. The forward-looking statements included in this document are based on management's best assessment of VEON's strategic and financial position and of future market conditions, trends and other potential developments. These discussions involve risks and uncertainties. The actual outcome may differ materially from these statements as a result of, among other things: further escalation in the war in Ukraine, including further sanctions and counter-sanctions and any related involuntary deconsolidation of our Ukrainian operations; demand for and market acceptance of VEON's products and services; our plans regarding our dividend payments and policies, as well as our ability to receive dividends, distributions, loans, transfers or other payments or guarantees from our subsidiaries; continued volatility in the economies in VEON's markets; governmental regulation of the telecommunications industries; general political uncertainties in VEON's markets; government investigations or other regulatory actions; litigation or disputes with third parties or regulatory authorities or other negative developments regarding such parties; the impact of export controls and laws affecting trade and investment on our and important third-party suppliers' ability to procure goods, software or technology necessary for the services we provide to our customers, including those that arise as a results of baseline or so called "reciprocal tariffs" imposed in the countries in which we operate; risks associated with data protection or cyber security, other risks beyond the parties' control or a failure to meet expectations regarding various strategic priorities, the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, increased competition in the markets in which VEON operates and the effect of consumer taxes on the purchasing activities of consumers of VEON's services. Certain other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in any forward-looking statements include the risk factors described in VEON's 2024 Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') on April 25, 2025 and other public filings made from time to time by VEON with the SEC. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could harm our future results. New risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Under no circumstances should the inclusion of such forward-looking statements in this document be regarded as a representation or warranty by us or any other person with respect to the achievement of results set out in such statements or that the underlying assumptions used will in fact be the case. Therefore, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. We cannot assure you that any projected results or events will be achieved. Except to the extent required by law, we disclaim any obligation to update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Contact Information VEONInvestor Relationsir@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Perak MB encourages AI adoption in Islamic affairs, highlights digital initiatives
IPOH, August 7 — Muslims should not view artificial intelligence (AI) as a threat but as an opportunity, provided it is guided by divine revelation and aligned with Islamic principles, said Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. Speaking at the launch of a national symposium on AI challenges, Saarani said that technological progress must be aligned with the principles of Maqasid Syariah, which prioritise the preservation of religion, life, intellect, lineage, and property. 'In line with this awareness, various digitalisation initiatives and the integration of AI are being actively strengthened at the national level. 'Efforts to enhance digital technology in the governance of religious affairs are now being vigorously implemented across the country,' he said at the event held at the Perak Royal Golf Club. Saarani highlighted several digital initiatives already implemented at the state level that integrate technology with Islamic administrative affairs. Through a collaboration between the state government and the Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk), the Perak Digital 2.0 Portal now offers an e-donation feature with dedicated QR codes, enabling Muslims to contribute to mosques safely and transparently. He said JAIPk has also initiated early exposure to AI technology among its personnel to explore its potential in enhancing religious services. This includes developing a Shariah-based virtual assistant to answer basic fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) questions and assisting in filtering deviant social media content. Further embracing modern technology, the Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPk) has launched the MAIPk Bestari application, which allows for the digital payment of zakat fitrah, enhancing efficiency and convenience for payers. In addition, Saarani noted that the Perak Digital application, specifically designed for state mosques, was upgraded in 2024 with new modules and enhanced security systems for managing data, activities, e-donations, and administration. The Perak Mufti Department is also strengthening its staff's digital communication skills through comprehensive ICT training.
