News Summary:
On September 30, 2026, analysis highlighted a widening gap in Malaysia between AI ambition and bottom-line results, noting rising operating costs and AI investment without immediate returns, despite AI transforming sectors like manufacturing and hospitality. This followed Lark's observation on September 28, 2026, that nine in 10 companies in the region are increasing their artificial intelligence (AI) spending this year, yet 60% see minimal or no return on investment. Olivier Adam, Lark's general manager for Asia Pacific, stated at the Retail Asia Summit 2026 in Singapore that some firms allocate up to 40% of their technology budget to AI, with some reporting "unlimited" budgets, prompting questions about value leakage. Previously, on September 15, 2026, the integration of AI Agents into enterprise workflows was noted for evolving evaluation criteria for collaborative office tools, requiring platforms to host both humans and Agents, connect models, data, and business processes, and establish clear governance capabilities. Earlier, on September 1, 2026, smart platforms were identified as complementing CRM software to drive business agility, emphasizing interconnected systems that enable synchronized thought and action.
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