ZoomMate builds on Zoom’s broader vision of becoming a “system of action” for modern work, connecting meeting discussions directly to workflows, enterprise data, and task execution.

Unlike traditional AI assistants that focus primarily on note-taking or summarisation, ZoomMate is positioned as an AI teammate capable of searching across business systems, coordinating follow-up actions, and generating work outputs from meeting conversations.

According to Zoom Chief Product Officer Russell Dicker, the platform is designed around a unique advantage: access to the conversations where workplace decisions are made.

“Before, during, and after the meeting, ZoomMate connects what was decided to what needs to happen next across every system where your work lives,” Dicker said.

The platform introduces three core capabilities: search, orchestration, and completion.

Through its agentic search function, ZoomMate can retrieve information from connected enterprise platforms such as Salesforce, ServiceNow, Workday, Google Workspace, and Microsoft tools. 

The system combines business records, project updates, service tickets, documents, and meeting context to surface relevant information without requiring users to switch applications.

ZoomMate can schedule meetings, create follow-up tasks, update records, trigger onboarding processes, and coordinate actions across connected systems based on decisions made during conversations.

Using meeting transcripts and enterprise context, ZoomMate can automatically create presentations, documents, spreadsheets, reports, and project plans, while continuously updating them as decisions evolve.

For sales teams, ZoomMate can retrieve account information before customer calls, update CRM records after meetings, and draft proposals using conversation data. 

Product teams can use it to surface project information, identify Jira issues, and generate status updates, while HR teams can automate onboarding workflows and employee support requests.

Zoom says the platform is built on the belief that conversations represent the most valuable source of workplace context, capturing decisions, approvals, objections, and next steps that often become fragmented across different applications.

ZoomMate is available now for customers in North America, with broader availability across EMEA and APAC expected later this year.

The post Zoom expands its AI ambitions with ZoomMate, a conversation-powered work assistant appeared first on MARKETECH APAC.

Rolling out over the coming weeks, the AI-powered Try On tool allows users to upload a full-length photo of themselves and digitally preview how clothing and footwear could look on their bodies before making a purchase.

The feature works across Google Search, Google Shopping, and Google Images, turning product discovery into a more personalised and interactive ecommerce experience at a time when shoppers increasingly expect retail journeys to feel as seamless as social media browsing.

Users can virtually try on tops, bottoms, dresses, and shoes—including sneakers, loafers, and heels—directly from apparel product listings. 

They can also save looks, compare outfits, share results with friends, and click through to merchants’ websites to complete purchases.

The tool is powered by Google’s custom-built fashion image generation model, which is trained to understand body shapes, garment movement, fabric textures, and how materials naturally fold, stretch, and drape across different poses.

Rather than placing static clothing overlays onto photos, the system generates a more realistic visualisation of how items may actually appear on the user.

Google said the feature connects to the billions of apparel listings within its Shopping Graph ecosystem, further strengthening the company’s ambitions to make Search a more transaction-ready shopping platform.

The Try On feature will roll out in Singapore across Google Shopping and apparel product listings in the coming weeks.

The post Google brings AI-powered virtual fitting room feature to Singapore shoppers appeared first on MARKETECH APAC.

The agreement builds on a 2022 memorandum of understanding with the Smart Nation and Digital Government Group and is aimed at deploying frontier AI across public services, industry and research, while supporting workforce development and AI governance.

The partnership will focus on using AI to address societal challenges, strengthen enterprise adoption, build an AI-ready workforce and develop a secure ecosystem aligned with Singapore’s National AI Strategy.

Health, science and inclusive innovation

A key pillar of the partnership is research and development in health and life sciences, supported by Google DeepMind’s presence in Singapore under its global National Partnerships for AI initiative.

In healthcare, Google DeepMind is exploring collaboration with public health clusters on “AI co-clinicians” to support doctors in delivering care, including systems that draw on clinical guidelines and scientific literature under physician oversight.

In scientific research, Google DeepMind is working with the National Research Foundation (NRF) to train local researchers in agentic AI tools, including Co-Scientist, and will run workshops to support biomedical applications.

Separately, Google and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) will use secure AI tools on Google Cloud to support hypothesis generation and accelerate translation of research into materials and life sciences innovations, while maintaining safeguards for intellectual property.

In inclusive innovation, Google DeepMind is developing a Gemma-powered running assistant for blind and low-vision athletes. The tool uses spatial reasoning to provide real-time environmental awareness and is being tested with SG Enable.

Education and workforce development

Google is also expanding its collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE) to strengthen AI capabilities in teaching and learning, including educator training and upskilling programmes.

It has already integrated AI tools into Google Workspace for Education for educators across primary to pre-university levels, supporting lesson planning and content development.

The partnership also extends existing programmes under the “Majulah AI” initiative, including Skills Ignition SG with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First, AI Cloud Takeoff, and Gemini Academy.

Enterprise innovation

Google Cloud will expand its Forward Deployed Engineers team in Singapore to help companies scale agentic AI systems, building on the Singapore Engineering Centre launch.

The partnership also continues collaboration with agencies including AI Singapore (AISG), the Centre for Strategic Infocomm Technologies (CSIT), GovTech Singapore, the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) and the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Safety and governance

The agreement includes work on AI safety and governance frameworks as Singapore tests “computer use” AI agents in real-world environments.

A joint whitepaper by Google, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA), GovTech Singapore and IMDA outlines findings from the AI Agents Sandbox, including early governance considerations for safe deployment in areas such as software testing and social assistance.

Google DeepMind is also working with IMDA and MLCommons on multilingual and multimodal safety benchmarks to improve AI systems’ handling of local languages and cultural context.

“This partnership builds on years of close collaboration with Google, and we are pleased to take it to the next level. Bringing frontier AI into our public services and enterprises is central to Singapore’s AI ambitions. This partnership, spanning across multiple agencies, allows us to deploy it at scale,” said Chng Kai Fong, Permanent Secretary (Digital Development and Information).

“As Singapore advances its National AI Strategy the focus now shifts to deploying frontier AI to accelerate real world impact for the country. Through this expanded partnership with the Singapore Government, we are putting AI into action by combining the best of our technology, R&D expertise, and local talent to accelerate AI for the public good. This also creates a scalable blueprint for responsible AI innovation, built in Singapore for the world,” said Ben King, Country Managing Director at Google Singapore.

The post Google, Singapore agencies launch expanded AI partnership to scale frontier AI across public services and economy appeared first on MARKETECH APAC.

The deployment centres on Google Cloud’s CX Agent Studio, which Weverse is using to automate customer support for ticket reservations, official merchandise purchases, and platform-related queries. 

The system combines machine learning and natural language processing to deliver real-time responses across multiple languages and time zones.

K-pop agencies, streaming platforms, and social commerce operators across the region are increasingly leaning on AI tools as fan engagement becomes a 24-hour business.

“Our priority has always been to provide a seamless and immersive experience for fans, but the scale of global artist fandoms presents unique operational complexity that require world-class innovation,” said Joon Choi, President of Weverse Company. 

Choi added, “By collaborating with Google Cloud to implement advanced AI automation, we are now able to provide high-quality, instantaneous support to our global community in their native languages.”

Beyond customer support, the partnership also deepens Weverse’s reliance on Google Cloud infrastructure. 

The company had earlier migrated its analytics systems to BigQuery to better withstand the sharp traffic surges that accompany major artist announcements, concert sales, and merchandise launches.

Since launching the system in March, the company said it has resolved customer inquiries from 245 countries and regions through AI automation.

Building on that momentum, Weverse said it plans to double processing efficiency within the year as it expands AI integration across the platform. 

The company currently hosts more than 180 artist communities, including BTS, SEVENTEEN, BLACKPINK, Dua Lipa, and Megan Thee Stallion.

“Global cultural events that transcend borders require a support infrastructure that can handle massive scale and diverse languages instantaneously,” said Ruth Sun, Managing Director of Google Cloud Korea. “By utilising our AI solutions, Weverse is ensuring that fans—regardless of where they are in the world—receive the same seamless, high-touch experience.”

The post Weverse deploys Google Cloud AI to handle global fan traffic spikes appeared first on MARKETECH APAC.

At the world premiere in New York, Samsung unveiled “Runway Cam #withGalaxy”, transforming the red carpet into a couture runway. 

Talent arrivals were framed as model walk-ins, with the Galaxy S26 Ultra capturing editorial-grade imagery under flash-heavy lighting reminiscent of a fashion week show set.

The activation borrowed directly from couture show codes—front-row energy, camera pit intensity, and styled entrances—recasting the premiere as a live fashion presentation. 

The device’s camera system was positioned as a backstage-to-runway tool for instant, social-ready editorial captures.

The campaign extends into narrative content starring Helen J. Shen as Jin, integrating Galaxy S26 Ultra features such as Circle to Search with Google into a stylised couture universe inspired by the film.

Appearances by Simone Ashley, Lucy Liu, Heidi Klum, and Winnie Harlow reinforced the runway framing, alongside creator Haley Kalil, who documented styling moments and device-led captures across social channels.

The collaboration reflects a broader shift in tech marketing, where product launches are increasingly choreographed through couture language—treating premieres as fashion presentations and devices as tools of instant editorial production.

Timed ahead of the film’s theatrical release, the campaign situates Samsung’s flagship within the intersection of couture spectacle, cinema culture, and social-first visual storytelling.

The post Samsung stitches couture, cinema, and tech into a red carpet runway moment for The Devil Wears Prada 2 appeared first on MARKETECH APAC.

At the centre of the collaboration is VidioGen, an AI-powered production platform developed by Emtek’s streaming arm Vidio. 

Built using Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform alongside Veo, Imagen, and Gemini models, the system is designed to support content creation workflows by automating time-intensive production tasks.

The expansion follows an initial deployment of VidioGen in the animated series New Keluarga Somat, a revival of the original Keluarga Somat programme.

The series aired on Mentari TV and achieved strong audience growth during Ramadan 2026, supported by AI-assisted production processes.

According to Emtek, the use of VidioGen reduced redevelopment time and production costs by 30%, while maintaining animation quality. 

The platform enables capabilities such as outpainting and inpainting, allowing production teams to extend visual frames, edit scene elements, and refine composition without requiring full reshoots or redraws.

The company is also incorporating AI tools to support localisation and distribution, including transcription, subtitling, and dubbing features powered by Google’s Gemini models. 

Additional systems, such as the Vivi automated content extraction tool, are being used to convert long-form footage into promotional assets.

The move comes as demand for high-quality, locally resonant content continues to rise across Southeast Asia, prompting media companies to adopt AI technologies to streamline production while maintaining creative output.

Beyond content creation, Emtek is extending AI adoption across its workforce through Google Workspace tools and internal AI agents, alongside the establishment of an AI Centre of Excellence to explore further applications across its portfolio.

The expanded partnership reflects a broader push by Emtek to integrate AI into both creative and operational processes, positioning its media businesses to scale content production while supporting regional storytelling.

The post Emtek expands Google Cloud partnership to scale AI-powered content production appeared first on MARKETECH APAC.

According to Reuters, YouTube has submitted a “letter of compliance” to the ministry, outlining steps it will take under the new rules.

“YouTube has also outlined plans to ‌deactivate ⁠these accounts (under 16) and will eliminate advertisements targeting children and teenagers in the future,” she said, as quoted by Reuters.

The move follows broader updates to YouTube’s guidelines, with multiple media reports noting that the platform will also cease targeted advertising for children.

Meanwhile, Danny Ardianto, Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy for YouTube in Asia Pacific, said the company “is in line with the commitment of the Indonesian ⁠government to continue supporting children’s protection”.

The development comes after Indonesia issued a reprimand to Google earlier this month, citing YouTube’s lack of cooperation with social media restrictions that took effect in March.

Minister Hafid said on Thursday (April 9) that YouTube had yet to meet the requirements of the new law or provide a clear compliance plan, according to CNA.

Under the regulation, Indonesia requires platforms it classifies as “high-risk” to deactivate accounts belonging to users under 16.

“There’s no other choice from the Indonesian government to tolerate them … and now we’re moving on to sanctions. And that sanction is a letter of reprimand,” Meutya said, as CNA reported.

YouTube is among the platforms designated as high-risk, alongside Roblox, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Threads, X, and Bigo Live.

Most recently, Roblox has also introduced new content and communication controls for users under 16 in Indonesia, as the platform moves to align with the country’s tightening rules on children’s access to social media.

The post YouTube moves to meet Indonesia’s stricter child protection rules following warning appeared first on MARKETECH APAC.

The agreement will focus on four areas: content distribution, AI capability building, talent development, and audience engagement.

Under the partnership, SPH Media will deepen integration with Google’s distribution channels to extend the reach of its content across digital platforms. 

The move is expected to improve how quickly and widely news is delivered to audiences.

Newsroom teams will receive training in generative AI tools, including applications for verification and investigative research, alongside the rollout of AI-enabled workflows. 

The focus, both parties said, is on improving efficiency while ensuring responsible use of the technology.

Kuek Yu Chuang, Deputy CEO of SPH Media, said, “As Singapore’s largest, most trusted and most awarded news publisher, SPH Media is always looking for innovative partnerships to help further its mission. This partnership will make sure that SPH Media’s quality journalism will be up-levelled with best-in-class technology, responsible use of AI, as well as improved and widened engagement with audiences.”

The partnership also includes the launch of a News Incubator Programme aimed at developing emerging journalism talent from local institutions. 

The initiative will focus on building a pipeline of young content creators and equipping them with skills in digital storytelling and AI literacy.

On the commercial front, both organisations will explore new advertising formats and engagement strategies to attract and retain audiences, particularly as consumption habits shift towards digital and social platforms.

Ben King, Country Managing Director for Google Singapore, said, “As the AI economy evolves, our collaboration with SPH Media ensures that the news industry remains at the forefront of this transformation. From empowering newsrooms with our advanced Gen AI tools, to nurturing the next generation of journalists, we are working together to build an innovative and sustainable future for the news industry in Singapore.”

The partnership underscores a broader trend across the region, where media organisations are increasingly aligning with technology firms to accelerate digital transformation and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

The post SPH Media teams up with Google to advance AI, audience reach in Singapore appeared first on MARKETECH APAC.

In the post, Sharma said Google’s safety teams continue to combat increasingly sophisticated advertising threats from bad actors who attempt to distribute scams and other malicious ads online.

“Our safety teams work around the clock to stop bad actors that use increasingly sophisticated, malicious ads. In 2025, Gemini-powered tools dramatically improved our ability to detect and stop bad ads: Our systems caught over 99% of policy-violating ads before they ever served, and we’re continuing to evolve our defenses to stay ahead of even the most advanced schemes,” he said.

According to Google, Gemini-enabled systems analyse hundreds of billions of signals—including advertiser account age, behaviour patterns, and campaign activity—to identify potential threats before ads are displayed. The company said the newer models focus more on understanding intent rather than relying primarily on keyword detection, enabling them to detect attempts to circumvent policies.

Google reported that in 2025 it blocked or removed more than 8.3 billion ads and suspended 24.9 million advertiser accounts. This included 602 million ads and 4 million accounts linked to scams.

The company also cited its advertiser verification program as an additional safeguard designed to prevent fraudulent advertisers from entering its ecosystem by validating identities and strengthening trust in ads shown to users.

Google said the rise of generative AI has enabled scammers to create misleading ads at scale, but the same technology is also helping the company detect such content more quickly. Gemini-based systems can review many ads automatically at the submission stage. By the end of 2025, Google said most Responsive Search Ads created through Google Ads were reviewed instantly, allowing harmful content to be blocked before publication.

The system also processes user reports more efficiently, enabling Google to act on more than four times as many user complaints in 2025 compared with the previous year.

Sharma added that improved detection accuracy has helped reduce incorrect advertiser suspensions.

“By analyzing beyond images and text patterns, Gemini can better distinguish between a credible offer and an intricate lure — a level of nuance that helped us reduce incorrect advertiser suspensions by 80% last year. This accuracy allows us to focus on two things in tandem: prioritizing the removal of harmful content while helping honest businesses keep their ads running.”

Google said it plans to expand instant ad reviews powered by Gemini to additional advertising formats in the future as part of its ongoing efforts to maintain ad safety while supporting legitimate advertisers.

The post Google reports improved ad safety as Gemini tools detect policy-violating ads earlier appeared first on MARKETECH APAC.

A notice in the Government Gazette confirmed the appointment of liquidators for Fitbit Singapore.

Meanwhile, regulatory filings with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority show the company is in the process of being wound up, as reported by The Strait Times.

The move comes more than a decade after Fitbit established its presence in Singapore in 2015, and follows its acquisition by Google’s parent, Alphabet Inc., in a US$2.1 billion deal completed in 2021.

Since the acquisition, Fitbit’s operations have been progressively integrated into Google’s devices and services portfolio. 

Its health and fitness tracking features now form part of Google’s wearables push, including its Pixel Watch lineup, as the company expands its footprint in the competitive smartwatch segment.

Consumers are not expected to be affected by the development. Fitbit-branded devices will continue to function, with support and services maintained under Google’s ecosystem.

Fitbit’s transition from an independent brand to part of Google’s broader strategy reflects wider industry shifts, as tech giants prioritise scale, platform integration, and recurring services over standalone hardware businesses.

The post Fitbit Singapore to shut down as Google completes brand integration appeared first on MARKETECH APAC.