AI and sustainability are reshaping the future of work — and Budget 2026 is pushing organisations to move faster. But transformation isn’t just about technology, it’s about whether your people are ready.



Sharmini Ann Jacob from KPMG Malaysia talks about turning national workforce priorities into real organisational capability. She talks about how businesses can build AI confidence, embed sustainability into operations, and future-proof talent without overwhelming their teams.


If you’re rethinking skills, culture, and digital adoption in 2026, this conversation offers practical direction for leaders navigating these changes.

AI and sustainability are reshaping the future of work — and Budget 2026 is pushing organisations to move faster. But transformation isn’t just about technology, it’s about whether your people are ready.Sharmini Ann Jacob from KPMG Malaysia talks about turning national workforce priorities into real organisational capability. She talks about how businesses can build AI confidence, embed sustainability into operations, and future-proof talent without overwhelming their teams. If you’re rethinking skills, culture, and digital adoption in 2026, this conversation offers practical direction for leaders navigating these changes.

Welcome to The Workplace, your essential guide to navigating the ever-evolving landscape of people management and human resource strategies. Join us as we unearth the latest trends, share expert insights, and explore innovative tactics to unlock the full potential of your workforce and empower your organisation. Tune in to The Workplace and elevate your HR game to drive sustainable success!

The Workplace

AI at Work: Are We Using It The Right Way? 

Performance appraisals are often treated as a once-a-year ritual. They can be tense, emotional, and quickly forgotten.



But what if appraisals were designed as an ongoing workflow instead of a yearly event? And what if KPIs weren’t just targets to hit, but tools for growth?



In this conversation, we speak with Jay Ar Juan, Co-Founder of Image Revamp, about why reviews should never come as a surprise, how monthly and quarterly check-ins can deliver better ROI, and what separates motivating appraisals from demoralising ones. We also unpack workplace biases, perception management, and how both managers and employees can take ownership of the process.

Performance appraisals are often treated as a once-a-year ritual. They can be tense, emotional, and quickly forgotten.But what if appraisals were designed as an ongoing workflow instead of a yearly event? And what if KPIs weren’t just targets to hit, but tools for growth?In this conversation, we speak with Jay Ar Juan, Co-Founder of Image Revamp, about why reviews should never come as a surprise, how monthly and quarterly check-ins can deliver better ROI, and what separates motivating appraisals from demoralising ones. We also unpack workplace biases, perception management, and how both managers and employees can take ownership of the process.

Rethinking Performance Reviews At Work

AI tools are helping Malaysian employees save time but many say their workload has increased. So is technology really easing work, or just raising expectations?



Low Choy Huat from EY Malaysia joins us to discuss the real impact of AI in organisations today, why productivity gains can come with added pressure, why proper training can’t be optional, and how leaders can ensure digital transformation improves performance without burning people out.



This is a practical conversation for employers navigating the human side of tech adoption.

AI tools are helping Malaysian employees save time but many say their workload has increased. So is technology really easing work, or just raising expectations?Low Choy Huat from EY Malaysia joins us to discuss the real impact of AI in organisations today, why productivity gains can come with added pressure, why proper training can’t be optional, and how leaders can ensure digital transformation improves performance without burning people out.This is a practical conversation for employers navigating the human side of tech adoption.

Are Smart Tools Making Work Harder? 

Why do so many change initiatives fail, even when the strategy is sound and the technology is in place? On The Workplace, we explore why transformation efforts often stall at the point of human adoption. With over 30 years of experience in organisational change across Asia-Pacific, Lalit Jagtiani shares why external interventions alone are rarely enough, and how building internal coaching cultures can drive trust, ownership, and lasting impact. From the politics of change to the role of internal coaches, this conversation looks at what it really takes to make change stick.

Why do so many change initiatives fail, even when the strategy is sound and the technology is in place? On The Workplace, we explore why transformation efforts often stall at the point of human adoption. With over 30 years of experience in organisational change across Asia-Pacific, Lalit Jagtiani shares why external interventions alone are rarely enough, and how building internal coaching cultures can drive trust, ownership, and lasting impact. From the politics of change to the role of internal coaches, this conversation looks at what it really takes to make change stick.

AI at Work: Are We Using It The Right Way?

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