Malaysian artificial intelligence (AI) startup TM8 Sdn Bhd has unveiled Team M8, its proprietary agentic AI platform, marking a major step forward in the nation’s ambition to become a regional AI innovation hub.
Team M8 is designed to operate autonomously, learn continuously from real-time data, and integrate seamlessly across industries, offering a significant leap beyond traditional chatbots and rule-based applications. The platform, showcased at the AI Showcase and Media Briefing in Kuala Lumpur, demonstrates TM8’s goal of making advanced AI both accessible and scalable for businesses of all sizes.
“With Team M8, our goal is simple yet ambitious: to make advanced AI accessible, adaptable, and scalable for businesses of all sizes,” said Farouk Nurish, co-founder and director of TM8. “We believe Malaysia can lead the way in building AI solutions that are locally made but globally relevant. Team M8 is not just technology—it is a partner that evolves with your business.”
Built with machine learning, natural language processing, and multilingual capabilities, Team M8 enables human-like digital agents that can serve functions ranging from customer service and call centres to consultancy, HR training, education and even media production.
At the launch, TM8 showcased two early adopters of its technology:
- Invatex Consulting, which previewed an AI-powered Tax Advisory Service set for release by November 2025. The solution aims to simplify tax compliance and broaden access to expert guidance.
- STV Digital, co-founded by actor and entrepreneur Dato’ Afdlin Shauki, introduced Pop Media, a multi-channel, AI-driven content ecosystem that will span streaming, OTT, e-commerce and an AI news aggregator app. Pop Media is scheduled for rollout in early 2026.
“Pop Media is about reinventing how audiences consume and interact with content,” said Afdlin. “By building on the Team M8 platform, we can deliver intelligent, personalised experiences that adapt to each user—whether in news, entertainment, or social platforms. This is the future of media, and it begins here in Malaysia.”
Poovarni Rajagopal, founder and executive director of Invatex Consulting Sdn Bhd, believes AI can make tax compliance in the country less complex and intimidating. “With our upcoming AI-powered Tax Advisory Service, powered by Team M8, we aim to simplify tax compliance, reduce errors, and support the national agenda to broaden the tax base. This collaboration empowers taxpayers—whether individuals, corporates, students, or professionals—with reliable, AI-driven advisory.”
According to Faiz Samion, TM8’s commercial director, the platform’s agentic nature – meaning it can act independently and make context-based decisions – is what distinguishes it from typical AI assistants. “It integrates seamlessly into operations, whether in an SME or a multinational, helping businesses cut costs, scale efficiently, and deliver better customer engagement,” he said.
Industry observers note that Malaysia’s growing AI ecosystem, supported by initiatives like the National AI Roadmap 2021-2025, is fostering a fertile environment for startups like TM8 to test and deploy innovative technologies with regional applications.
As Southeast Asian enterprises continue exploring automation and generative AI tools, platforms like Team M8 could play a key role in democratising access to AI capabilities beyond tech giants and research institutions. 