Latest news with #Reflect
The Star
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Colourful lessons in business
Turning business theories into art may seem unlikely, but for lecturer Norsafriman Abdul Rahman, it is a powerful reality. Driven by a desire to make his work more relatable and accessible, he began exploring unconventional ways to connect with the public. 'When I turned 52, I begin to think about how I could summarise all that I've learnt about international business, marketing and all the related theories and principles,' the business lecturer recalled. In 2010, he turned to art – specifically, performance art – as a medium to express business concepts such as consumerism and capitalism to the public. Today, Norsafriman continues to blend business and art, often collaborating with fellow lecturers to bring these themes to life. His works were among those showcased at Unitar International University's curated exhibition, Create, Transform, Reflect, Liberate (CTRL'25) in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. One of Norsafriman's standout pieces critiqued the negative impact of capitalism, illustrating how local businesses are gradually displaced by hypermarkets and mall culture. 'My work is about people coming here with a lot of capital. It's good because it creates jobs. But then what will happen to the 'kedai runcit'? Most probably, these sundry shops will have to shut down,' he said. In another installation, he addressed the hidden dangers behind food packaging – particularly the use of technical jargon in ingredient lists that many consumers do not understand. 'About 80% to 90% of the ingredients we consume – we don't even know what they are. The labelling uses scientific words that we don't even understand,' he added. With 26 years of teaching experience, Norsafriman called on students to deepen their knowledge across disciplines and use that foundation to create meaningful, thought-provoking art. 'They need a basic knowledge of history, science, philosophy and ethics. When they have all this knowledge, they can create something that is useful, not just for them, but also for society,' he shared. Animation lecturer Elaine Loh Ee Ling's animated showreel, showcased at CTRL'25, featured a montage of her creative journey, reflecting both her technical growth and personal perseverance. 'Some shots came together easily, while others required long hours of feedback and revision. Every shot is a chance to show what we can do and how we grow by staying adaptable, open to feedback and always pushing to improve,' Loh said. Fashion design lecturer Suhaimi Shapii said his digitally engineered track jacket, which was on display at the exhibition, reflects the future of fashion, where urban style, athletic functionality and digital craftsmanship intersect. 'By integrating digital tools into the creative process, this design embraces innovation, speed and sustainability,' he said. CTRL'25 is an annual art and design exhibition that highlights the creative excellence of academics from the School of Media Art & Design (SMArD) and Unitar College. Describing it as more than an exhibition in his opening address, Unitar International University vice-chancellor Emeritus Prof Tan Sri Dr Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar said CTRL'25 is a vibrant platform where creativity flourishes, connections are forged, and inspiration takes root. Held at Unitar, the exhibition is open to the public until Aug 15.
The Star
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Art in the age of AI
While artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the creative landscape, academics say technology will never replace human ingenuity and imagination. 'Everybody says AI can replace artists and that creative talent is no longer needed. 'But those of us in the industry know that AI can never fully take our place in the creative sphere. 'It is merely a digital tool that can expedite the process of creation and make it more efficient,' said Unitar International University animation lecturer Elaine Loh Ee Ling at the opening of the varsity's curated exhibition, Create, Transform, Reflect, Liberate (CTRL'25), on July 24. Loh In March, the value and ethics of using generative AI in art came under the spotlight when stylised portraits resembling the iconic animation style of Japanese production house Studio Ghibli flooded social media feeds. Certain artistic styles, said Loh, remain beyond AI's capabilities. 'AI-generated art often has a recognisable 'look and feel', which has led to copyright restrictions in countries like the UK, Canada and the US,' she said, 620 Loh, who has over 15 years of experience in animation industry and academia, advised students to embrace AI as part of creative evolution, rather than fear it. 'As artists, we will transition into another phase where AI is incorporated – just like the shift from fine art to 2D to 3D. Now, we are actually at the peak of a golden age for 3D,' she added. The future in 3D Meanwhile, fashion design lecturer Suhaimi Shapii sees AI tools like CLO 3D as a practical innovation – transforming the way clothing is designed and developed. CLO 3D is a software that allows designers to combine 2D pattern drafting with 3D garment simulation, giving designers a real-time preview of how clothing will look and move before it is physically made. Suhaimi Shapii 'Before this, there was a manual technique that you use in fashion design – from sketches to creating master patterns, and finally sewing garments. 'But with CLO 3D, you can create patterns, sew garments in the software, and even print them in real size,' he explained. But, like Loh, Suhaimi maintains that AI cannot replicate the emotional depth behind human-made art. 'AI only does what we tell it to do. It looks nice but there is no soul in the work,' he said. Suhaimi Shapii's art Wrong perception But despite the innovation and impact that creative work provides, many art students still face discrimination and misconceptions about their career prospects, said Loh. 'Society, especially parents, think artists are very poor. When they learn about our background, they ask, 'How can you earn money?'' she shared. The perception that art is easy or not a 'real' profession also leads to people undervaluing creative work, even within academic settings, she said. 'Students and lecturers are constantly asked to do things for free because they think it's easy to do,' Loh noted. She also highlighted how this mindset is exploited in the workforce, where young graduates are underpaid under the guise of gaining 'exposure'. 'Imagine paying fresh grads RM2,500 or RM3,000 when they have expertise. 'Of course, they need more training – but companies use the term 'learn for exposure' as an excuse to underpay them,' Loh said. Hoping to challenge these misconceptions, Loh emphasised that art is a meticulous and demanding process – far from the easy task many assume it to be. Despite not being an academic high-achiever in her school years, Loh attributed her success to sheer determination. 'At school, I was not a top scorer. I was slow, but I did not give up. I kept working to improve my skills. 'I noticed that students nowadays also have their own struggles so I want to tell them that anything is possible,' she shared. From working on TV series and feature films to landing opportunities in Japan, Loh's journey is a testament to what persistence can achieve. 'Even though I started off as a nobody, I can now venture out. 'I've worked on TV series and feature films. I even went to Japan and worked – something I never thought was possible. So, I just want to give that kind of encouragement – that they can actually do it, as long as they put in the effort,' she said.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SmartBear Makes GenAI-Powered, No-Code Mobile App Testing Accessible to Every QA Professional With Reflect Mobile
Reflect Mobile brings fast, intuitive native app testing to iOS and Android, making automated mobile testing easier and accessible to all QA teams SOMERVILLE, Mass., June 11, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SmartBear, a leading provider of software quality and visibility solutions, launched Reflect Mobile featuring HaloAI, expanding its no-code, GenAI-powered test automation platform to include native mobile apps. Previously for web applications, Reflect now supports comprehensive, cross-platform testing across web, mobile, and APIs in a single solution. With built-in support for frameworks like React Native and Flutter, users create reusable tests that run across both iOS and Android – no code required. GenAI powers a fast, intuitive experience using codeless actions or record-and-replay, eliminating traditional adoption barriers and enabling QA professionals of any skill level to generate robust, reliable tests. "Mobile test automation remains complex and underserved for many QA organizations, even as it becomes a rapidly growing requirement," said Prashant Mohan, VP of Product Management at SmartBear. "Reflect Mobile, a major step in advancing the SmartBear Test Hub strategy, which brings API, web, and mobile testing into one unified, intelligent solution, was built to help teams simplify mobile test automation. We're committed to helping teams scale their software quality efforts without increasing complexity across tools and workflows." As mobile usage continues to grow, software teams face increasing pressure to deliver high quality mobile experiences. Yet mobile test automation remains a challenge, with many QA teams relying on manual testing or web-based workarounds that don't scale well to mobile. Others adopt complex tools like Appium, which require technical expertise. Traditional mobile approaches depend on static locators, struggle with framework compatibility, and produce flaky tests. Reflect Mobile changes that, giving teams of all skill levels the ability to automate mobile app tests using no-code workflows, record-and-play functionality, and GenAI-driven test creation. "Reflect completely transformed how I see front-end automation," said Tommy Marín, QA Lead at Connect Assistance. "It showed me that automating complex flows doesn't have to involve heavy code or tedious maintenance. The mobile testing experience mirrors what I love about web automation—it's intuitive, innovative, and powered by AI-driven prompts that genuinely change the game. For my company, where we aim to automate integrated flows across both web and mobile platforms, this tool aligns perfectly with our goals and pushes us a step closer to full end-to-end automation." Reflect Mobile empowers manual and non-technical testers to build and maintain mobile test automation without needing scripting skills or engineering support. With built-in integrations for test management, CI/CD pipelines, and device grid providers, Reflect Mobile fits seamlessly into existing development and QA environments. This launch marks a strategic expansion for SmartBear into the growing mobile-first market. Reflect was acquired by SmartBear in early 2024 as part of the company's commitment to building the industry's most intelligent and accessible testing platform. Since then, SmartBear has integrated Reflect's natural language test creation, visual insight capabilities, and advanced AI automation into its growing suite of quality solutions. Todd McNeal, Director of Product Management at SmartBear and co-founder of Reflect, presents an inside look at Reflect Mobile in today's webinar, "AI-Powered Mobile Testing Is Here and It Changes Everything." Register at: For more information on Reflect Mobile, go to: About SmartBear SmartBear is pioneering innovation in software quality, embracing AI's transformative potential. The company's powerful solution hubs, including SmartBear API Hub, SmartBear Insight Hub, and SmartBear Test Hub, featuring HaloAI, give software development teams around the world visibility and automation that provide end-to-end quality. SmartBear is trusted by over 16 million developers, testers, and software engineers at 32,000+ organizations – including innovators like Adobe, JetBlue, FedEx, and Microsoft. With an active peer-to-peer community, SmartBear meets customers where they are to help make our technology-driven world a better place. The company is committed to ethical corporate practices, including responsible AI that integrates accountability and transparency across its technology stack, and to social responsibility, promoting good in all the communities it serves. Learn more at or follow on LinkedIn, X, or Facebook. All trademarks recognized. View source version on Contacts Tracy WemettBroadPR+1-617-868-5031tracy@ Error 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
Business Wire
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
SmartBear Makes GenAI-Powered, No-Code Mobile App Testing Accessible to Every QA Professional With Reflect Mobile
SOMERVILLE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SmartBear, a leading provider of software quality and visibility solutions, launched Reflect Mobile featuring HaloAI, expanding its no-code, GenAI-powered test automation platform to include native mobile apps. Previously for web applications, Reflect now supports comprehensive, cross-platform testing across web, mobile, and APIs in a single solution. With built-in support for frameworks like React Native and Flutter, users create reusable tests that run across both iOS and Android – no code required. GenAI powers a fast, intuitive experience using codeless actions or record-and-replay, eliminating traditional adoption barriers and enabling QA professionals of any skill level to generate robust, reliable tests. "The mobile testing experience mirrors what I love about web automation—it's intuitive, innovative, and powered by AI-driven prompts that genuinely change the game." -Tommy Marín, QA Lead at Connect Assistance Share 'Mobile test automation remains complex and underserved for many QA organizations, even as it becomes a rapidly growing requirement,' said Prashant Mohan, VP of Product Management at SmartBear. 'Reflect Mobile, a major step in advancing the SmartBear Test Hub strategy, which brings API, web, and mobile testing into one unified, intelligent solution, was built to help teams simplify mobile test automation. We're committed to helping teams scale their software quality efforts without increasing complexity across tools and workflows.' As mobile usage continues to grow, with 86% of users now spending more time in apps than on websites, software teams face increasing pressure to deliver high quality mobile experiences. Yet mobile test automation remains a challenge, with many QA teams relying on manual testing or web-based workarounds that don't scale well to mobile. Others adopt complex tools like Appium, which require technical expertise. Traditional mobile approaches depend on static locators, struggle with framework compatibility, and produce flaky tests. Reflect Mobile changes that, giving teams of all skill levels the ability to automate mobile app tests using no-code workflows, record-and-play functionality, and GenAI-driven test creation. 'Reflect completely transformed how I see front-end automation,' said Tommy Marín, QA Lead at Connect Assistance. 'It showed me that automating complex flows doesn't have to involve heavy code or tedious maintenance. The mobile testing experience mirrors what I love about web automation—it's intuitive, innovative, and powered by AI-driven prompts that genuinely change the game. For my company, where we aim to automate integrated flows across both web and mobile platforms, this tool aligns perfectly with our goals and pushes us a step closer to full end-to-end automation.' Reflect Mobile empowers manual and non-technical testers to build and maintain mobile test automation without needing scripting skills or engineering support. With built-in integrations for test management, CI/CD pipelines, and device grid providers, Reflect Mobile fits seamlessly into existing development and QA environments. This launch marks a strategic expansion for SmartBear into the growing mobile-first market. Reflect was acquired by SmartBear in early 2024 as part of the company's commitment to building the industry's most intelligent and accessible testing platform. Since then, SmartBear has integrated Reflect's natural language test creation, visual insight capabilities, and advanced AI automation into its growing suite of quality solutions. Todd McNeal, Director of Product Management at SmartBear and co-founder of Reflect, presents an inside look at Reflect Mobile in today's webinar, ' AI-Powered Mobile Testing Is Here and It Changes Everything. ' Register at: For more information on Reflect Mobile, go to: About SmartBear SmartBear is pioneering innovation in software quality, embracing AI's transformative potential. The company's powerful solution hubs, including SmartBear API Hub, SmartBear Insight Hub, and SmartBear Test Hub, featuring HaloAI, give software development teams around the world visibility and automation that provide end-to-end quality. SmartBear is trusted by over 16 million developers, testers, and software engineers at 32,000+ organizations – including innovators like Adobe, JetBlue, FedEx, and Microsoft. With an active peer-to-peer community, SmartBear meets customers where they are to help make our technology-driven world a better place. The company is committed to ethical corporate practices, including responsible AI that integrates accountability and transparency across its technology stack, and to social responsibility, promoting good in all the communities it serves. Learn more at or follow on LinkedIn, X, or Facebook. All trademarks recognized.
