05/07/2025

BIZ & FINANCE SATURDAY | JULY 5, 2025

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Alpha International taps AI for workplace well-being

Ű BY JOHN GILBERT sunbiz@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Alpha International Training and Consultancy is pioneering a transformative approach to workplace well being – one that sets new global benchmarks, with the company at the forefront of transforming employee health and pro ductivity, both in Malaysia and internationally. With United Nations approval, the Certified Fatigue and Fitness Accredited Programme, led by Alpha International CEO Professor Dr Louis Adaikalam, is a first-of-its-kind initiative in Malaysia that utilises artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver integrated assessments of sleep, mental health and stress. By targeting persistent challenges such as presenteeism, absenteeism and rising medical costs, Adaikalam’s vision is not only to make health solutions more compelling for today’s corporate world but also to set a new standard for productivity and employee care in the digital age. “Sometimes, you must develop truly unique courses to address evolving challenges. That is why my programme – approved by the United Nations and enhanced with AI – is considered one of its kind in the world. “By leveraging AI, we can not only assess current well-being but also predict potential medical issues that individuals may face in the years ahead,” Adaikalam told SunBiz . If left unchecked, he said, these issues can have significant negative consequences. “However, what sets our approach apart is the integration of cutting-edge technologies available today to address such challenges proactively. For instance, we focus on mitigating risks like microsleep, which is increasingly recognised as a major contributor to accidents both on the road and in the workplace. “Fatigue and driver fitness are also critical factors that directly impact safety. Our solutions are designed to help organisations and individuals identify and prevent these problems before they escalate,” Adaikalam said. Fitness plays a crucial role in preventing accidents, particularly when it comes to microsleep behind the wheel, he said. “If we can accurately predict a high risk of microsleep while driving, we empower individuals to take proactive steps before an accident occurs. Our approach is to leverage the latest available technologies to develop unique programmes that offer not just prediction, but also targeted rehabilitation and treatment solutions to address these risks effectively.” On June 24, Adaikalam received the Malaysia Outstanding Entrepreneurs Award 2025 from think tank KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, which was presented to him by Tunku Datuk Seri Utama Naquiyuddin ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, the Tunku Laksamana and former Regent of Negeri Sembilan. Adaikalam said successful partnerships with government agencies, NGOs and the private sector are essential for promoting Alpha International’s initiatives. He added that governments across the globe place strong emphasis on collaboration between public and private entities.

o Firm pioneers new approach in transforming employee health and productivity in Malaysia and internationally “As a foundation for this, we have established partnerships with key organisations such as Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and Miros (Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research), an agency under the Ministry of Transport. “Our approach is to develop programmes that align with government aspirations – for example, working with the Ministry of Transport to reduce road accidents. “By signing agreements with bodies like Miros and MPC, we create win-win situations where our causes support broader objectives, such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, while also addressing social needs,” he said. Moving on, Adaikalam said key lessons have emerged from observing widespread chal lenges, such as micro-sleep and fatigue, issues that affect not just the transport sector but also workplaces across all industries. He said these behavioural problems are far reaching and require targeted expertise to address. Quoting various research, Adaikalam said in the 21st century, another primary concern is the decline in sleep quality and duration among workers, which directly impacts cognitive function and overall job performance. This trend, he said, is now recognised as one of the most significant workforce challenges, calling for innovative solutions to enhance employee wellbeing and productivity. “We recognise that insufficient sleep is a widespread issue, with many unaware they are affected. Our programmes don’t simply instruct people to sleep more; instead, they educate on how fatigue accumulates and its impact, such as impaired cognitive function, reduced focus and increased workplace errors. “Given that findings show nine out of 10 Malaysians experience sleep problems – whether through deprivation or disorders – addressing this is essential for both individual well-being and organisational productivity,” Adaikalam said. Malaysia has reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) that the economic burden

Tunku Datuk Seri Utama Naquiyuddin ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar (second, left) presenting the KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific’s Malaysia Outstanding Entrepreneurs Award 2025 to Adaikalam. They are flanked by KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific president Tan Sri Michael Yeoh (left) and deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Iqbal Rawther.

to reduce the overall burden of disease and improve public health outcomes in Malaysia. “By 2030, Malaysia will be an ageing society, making it vital to educate people now on the importance of sleep, fitness and fatigue management. “These issues are directly linked to reducing the future burden of disease. If proactive steps are not taken, the consequences for public health and government resources could be severe, even leading to unsustainable costs. “That is why our training initiatives are designed not only to build healthier individuals, but also to support government efforts in safeguarding the nation’s well-being,” Adaikalam said.

of disease in the country amounts to about RM100.79 billion. A significant contributor to this high burden is inadequate sleep among the population, which leads to various health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic conditions. Additionally, mental health-related costs account for an estimated RM14.6 billion, compounding the national challenge. The WHO data also reveals that about one in three Malaysians experiences mental health problems. These findings underscore the critical importance of addressing behavioural change – particularly concerning sleep and well-being –

Govt committed to fostering growth of digital creative industry KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s digital creative industry recorded a strong performance in 2023, generating RM5.3 billion in revenue with exports valued at RM800 million, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo announced. market access, investment, and innovation in this industry,” he said in his speech at the official launch of Upin & Ipin Universe Video Game here yesterday. Creative industry, the ministry views it as a backbone of national progress in the digital economy. can achieve when creativity meets opportunity. “This game, developed by a cooperation between Les’ Copaque Production and Streamline Studios, embodies the innovation and cultural richness that make Malaysian games stand out,” he said.

“To further strengthen this ecosystem, the MDEC has launched two key programmes – Animated Shorts Challenge and Digital Games Testbed. “Both these new initiatives underscore Malaysia’s commitment to fostering inno vation and creative excellence in the digital space,” he said. Meanwhile, Gobind said the launch of the Upin & Ipin Universe game is not just about unveiling a new game; it is a testament to the creativity, innovation, and collaborative spirit that define Malaysia’s journey to becoming a regional hub for Animation and Games. “Today’s launch of Upin & Ipin Universe Game is a shining example of what Malaysia

Also present were Les’ Copaque Pro duction managing director Burhanuddin Md Radzi, National Film Development Corpo ration of Malaysia (Finas chairman Datuk Gerald Hans Isaac and Streamline Media Group chief executive officer Alexander Fernandez. Gobind said that riding the momentum of global digitalisation, the games sector is also booming. In this regard, he said the ministry continues to drive Malaysia’s digital trans formation by prioritising the Animation and Games sub-sector as a core component of the nation’s digital agenda. “Recognising the importance of the Digital

More importantly, he said, these achieve ments contributed to the creation of more than 10,000 high-value job opportunities across the ecosystem. “Under the Digital Creative Ecosystem Road-map (DICE) by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the govern ment is showing a strong commitment to develop the digital creative sector with the objective of making Malaysia a regional and global hub for digital content creation by 2030. “DICE is not just an initiative; rather, a holistic strategy to build a sustainable ecosystem that supports talent development,

Upin & Ipin Universe, the highly anticipated open-world adventure game inspired by Southeast Asia’s beloved Upin & Ipin series, will be available in the market starting July 17. The game will be available for PC on Steam and Epic Game Store, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Nintendo Switch, marking a major milestone for the globally recognised franchise. Developed by Streamline Studios, Upin & Ipin Universe, an open-world game with a 12+ hour narrative campaign, aims to resonate with a global audience while staying true to its roots. – Bernama