We’re evolving the browsing experience by bringing Chrome’s powerful AI features to more regions and languages, helping millions of people get the most out of their browser.
Kuala Lumpur, April 21, 2026 - The browser is where we get work done, learn new things and connect with the world. But sometimes, the tasks we do online — like reading a long chemistry paper or just finding quick inspiration for dinner — can feel tedious and slow us down.
That’s why we’ve reimagined Chrome with built-in AI to help people seek and understand information. Today, we’re bringing many of Chrome's latest AI features, including Gemini in Chrome, to Malaysia.
Powered by our latest AI capabilities (Gemini 3.1), these browser enhancements will first be available on desktop and iOS. On Android, you can activate Gemini when using Chrome and other apps by holding the power button.
Here are the features to expect.
Interact with web content without switching tabs
Whether you need to synthesize a complex article or spark a new idea, you can now do so without losing your place on the web. With Chrome’s side panel, you can multi-task with ease and instantly get help with whatever you’re working on, without ever having to switch tabs. Just click the icon in the top right corner of your current tab and start chatting with your personalized browsing assistant
Gemini in Chrome is rolling out to all Mac, Windows and Chromebook Plus users
Chrome’s new AI enhanced capabilities can help you summarize lengthy web content, perform tasks like creating a pop quiz for your upcoming final, answer questions like “how can I make this recipe vegan?” and even remember pages you’ve previously visited so you can finally close the tabs you’ve set aside for later.
By connecting your workspace tools within the browser (such as Gmail, Maps, Calendar, YouTube and more), Chrome helps you act on information the moment you find it. With ease, you can schedule meetings on your Calendar, see location details from Maps and ask questions about YouTube videos.
Gemini in Chrome lets you easily see the key points of YouTube videos.
Integration with Gmail means you can even compose and send emails without leaving your current page. Just open the side panel and ask to send an email. Once it’s finished, you’ll have the option to make any necessary edits and then get it sent with a single click.
Gemini in Chrome works with other Google apps, such as Gmail, letting you draft and send emails directly from the side panel.
Get work done faster across tabs
Gemini in Chrome can work across multiple open tabs, so you can easily cross-reference and consolidate information into a single view. Planning a team building activity? Chrome can bring together all of your research to plan the perfect offsite ice breaker. Shopping for a vegan protein powder? No problem. You can easily create a table comparing the key details of products across sites, making shopping a breeze.
Gemini in Chrome can work with the context of multiple tabs.
Transform images on the web with Nano Banana
We’ve also built Nano Banana 2 directly into Chrome so you can transform images on the fly. All you need to do is type a prompt in the side panel to explain what you’re trying to do. Nano Banana 2 will do the rest, transforming the image without needing to upload files or open a new tab. For instance, with Nano Banana 2, you can become your own interior designer, mixing and matching furniture before ever making a purchase.
No need for copy-pasting or re-uploading; Gemini in Chrome uses Nano Banana to transform images in your current browser window.
Stay safe with Chrome’s security by design
These new capabilities are designed to keep you in control, and were built with security in mind from the start. We’ve trained our models to recognize known threats like prompt injection to keep you safe as you browse. We’ve also built safeguards to ask for confirmation before taking certain sensitive actions, like sending an email or adding an event to your calendar. To validate the security of Chrome’s layered defenses, we use automated red-teaming to continually strengthen our protections, and Chrome’s auto-update capabilities allow us to get fixes out to you quickly, so we can respond to the latest threats.
These are just some of the awesome new capabilities that represent the next chapter of Chrome in making the web more accessible and actionable to everyone in Malaysia. We’ll be adding more capabilities and expanding into even more regions and languages throughout the year, so stay tuned.
Kuala Lumpur, December 8, 2025 - As Malaysians wrap up another year of rapid change, cultural shifts and digital transformation, Google’s Year in Search 2025 provides a unique lens into what mattered most to the nation. From government initiatives that directly impacted households, to AI tools that became everyday essentials, to dramas, personalities and blockbusters that sparked nationwide conversations, this year’s trending searches reflect the heartbeat of Malaysia in 2025.
Turning to Search to Navigate Living Costs and Welfare
In 2025, Malaysians turned to Google to navigate rising living costs, new government rollouts and updated welfare programmes, alongside staying informed about emerging technologies that could improve their daily lives.
Rahmah Cash Contribution (#2 Searches, #1 News) remained a topic of interest, as a key form of financial assistance for many Malaysian households. Welfare and social assistance program like MyKasih (#3 Searches, #2 News) and targeted fuel subsidy scheme such as Budi95 (#6 Searches, #3 News) also saw significant spikes, as families sought clarity around eligibility, disbursement schedules and application steps. Meanwhile, E-Pembelajaran Sektor Awam (Public Sector E-Learning) (#7 Searches) and mySalam (#10 Searches) continued to draw strong interest, especially for civil servants seeking upskilling opportunities and B40 households looking for dependable health coverage information respectively.
The year’s biggest local news moments, ranging from the Putra Heights pipeline explosion (#8 News) to the Southern Selangor floods (#9 News), dominated national attention as Malaysians increasingly relied on Search for real-time updates, road closures and safety information.
AI Takes Centre Stage in Everyday Malaysian Life
Google’s AI assistant, Gemini, (#1 Searches) topped the overall trending list, reflecting Malaysians’ growing reliance on AI for work, learning and decision-making. Users were also getting creative with tools like Pixverse AI (#6) to create hyper-realistic visual content, short-form videos and animation for work, studies and social media.
In fact, Malaysians are among the most active AI users in ASEAN, with three in four Malaysian digital consumers interacting with Generative AI tools daily. This surge in AI interest signifies Malaysia’s wider push towards digitalization — from students using chatbots for schoolwork, to SMEs adopting AI for marketing and customer support, to creators using AI for content production.
Movies and Dramas that Captivated the Nation
Malaysians once again proved their deep connection to both Hollywood and Asian cinema, with Blood Brothers (#1 Movies), Superman (#2) and Thunderbolts (#3) dominating the charts as passionate fan communities fuelled waves of anticipation and online conversations. People of all ages were dancing along to the tracks of KPop Demon Hunters (#7), while younger audiences fuelled the popularity of A Minecraft Movie (#9), and beloved franchises like Jurassic World Rebirth (#10) and Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (#6) resurfaced as major crowd-pullers.
Closer to home, dramas such as Keluarga Itu (#7 Drama) and Dia Bukan Syurga (#10 Drama) reflected Malaysians’ enduring appetite for relatable family themes, local humour and emotional storytelling.
On the drama front, global hits like Squid Game (#1 Drama) kept Malaysian audiences at the edge of their seats and Emerald Hill (翠山小娘惹, #3 Drama), brought them through a journey of cultural nostalgia.
Personalities Who Captivated Malaysians in 2025
Malaysians’ search behaviour this year demonstrated a vibrant mix of entertainment, global issues and cultural moments, with personalities ranging from international figures to regional and homegrown talents. Locally, Amira thman (#1 People) saw a surge in attention driven by her new music release and renewed focus on her personal life.
Globally, climate advocate Greta Thunberg (#7 People) drew heightened searches as Malaysians followed updates surrounding her recent situation, while regional favourite Luna Maya (#8 People), one of Indonesia’s most recognisable entertainment figures, attracted increased interest as news of her marriage became a major talking point. Beyond personalities, nostalgia rose as fans revisited iconic acts like My Chemical Romance (#9 People) following the announcement of their Kuala Lumpur concert and the addition of a second show.
Ben King, Managing Director, Google Malaysia & Singapore said, “Year in Search truly takes the pulse of Malaysia – from national milestones to seeking the best entertainment and trending personalities. We are also seeing a shift in the way people search. They are now seeking not just answers, but deeper context and quicker insights. By introducing features like AI Mode, we are reimagining what Search can do to help Malaysians navigate their world faster and stay helpful across moments big and small.”
For a look at the full list, visit the website HERE.
In addition to highlighting what Malaysians were most curious about this year, Google Search also sheds light on the topics that captured global attention in 2025. Visit the global trends site to explore more Year in Search stories and discover the top trending charts from Malaysia and countries around the world.
Online travel, cashless payments and AI infrastructure fuel Malaysia’s next stage of digital growth
KUALA LUMPUR, 25 November 2025 – Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company today launched the 10th edition of the e-Conomy SEA Report 2025, revealing that Malaysia is now the fastest-growing digital economy in Southeast Asia with an increase of 19% year-on-year (YoY), and on track to reach Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) US$39 billion (approximately RM161 billion) this year. This shift towards resilient growth is supported by sustained consumer adoption and stable macroeconomic conditions, including contained inflation.
At the regional level, Southeast Asia’s (SEA) digital economy is projected to surpass US$300 billion (approximately RM1.24 trillion) in GMV by 2025, growing 15% YoY and outperforming the region’s first forecast by 1.5 times. As the world’s fifth largest economy with a population of over 680 million, Southeast Asia has rapidly digitalized over the past decade, showing strong resilience and monetization capabilities despite global headwinds such as COVID-19, inflation and supply-chain pressures.
Key findings in the Malaysia report:
1. Malaysia’s performance this year is underpinned by the strength and maturity of its digital economy
Online travel recorded 19% growth in GMV, the fastest in SEA, driven by improved air connectivity, visa liberalization measures and large-scale digital tourism campaigns building momentum ahead of ‘Visit Malaysia 2026’. With inbound travel accelerating more than 20% YoY in the first half of 2025, Malaysia is benefitting from both rising traveller volumes and higher-value trips as visitors opt for better-quality and digitally enabled travel experiences. These trends reflect a digital sector that is increasingly defined by stable adoption, efficiency and deeper value creation across both consumers and businesses.
Ecommerce continues to expand at a healthy pace, making up the biggest driver of the country’s digital economy, reaching US$20 billion (approximately RM83.3 billion) by 2025. The sector has grown 21% YoY in GMV, the second-fastest rate in SEA. This was supported by rising platform consolidation with large regional players leveraging significant economies of scale, and expanding video commerce engagement that converted attention into sales with minimal friction.
Digital Financial Services (DFS) show continued double-digit growth, with digital payments set to reach US$213 billion (approximately RM887 billion) in Gross Transaction Value (GTV) by 2025. This momentum is driven by Malaysia’s rapid shift toward cashless payments, including a 28% surge in digital payment usage reported by Bank Negara Malaysia, and cross-border acceptance has scaled significantly with the DuitNow QR standard now interoperable across an increasing number of SEA markets.
2. Malaysia’s rise as one of Southeast Asia’s core AI and digital infrastructure hub
Malaysia’s digital economy is also strengthened by strong investments in digital infrastructure. Data centre capacity has increased to 690 MW in H1 this year from 120 MW in 2024, and plans have been reported to further increase capacity by 350%. This represents half of all planned regional capacity. In 2024, Google has also committed a US$2 billion investment in the country, including the development of its first Google data center and Google Cloud region to meet the growing demand for AI-ready cloud services locally and around the world.
3. Positive investment climate, driven by funding and IPO activity and strong investments in digital infrastructure.
The country captured 32% of all private AI funding across SEA, at US$759 million (approximately RM3.14 billion), supported by major digital financial services deals. Malaysia also led Southeast Asia in IPO activity, contributing half of the region’s listings over the last 12 months. This uptick in exits signals a more stable investor environment, reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a competitive destination for high-growth technology companies and digital expansion.Investor sentiment is optimistic, with nearly two-thirds (64%) of surveyed investors expecting funding activity in the country to rise through 2030, particularly in software, services, AI and deep tech.
Ben King, Managing Director, Google Malaysia & Singapore said, “Malaysia’s digital economy is showcasing a positive growth trajectory. This momentum is fueled by several critical factors – robust sector growth, a healthy funding landscape, and strong digital infrastructure investments. But it is high AI adoption that is accelerating this progress. With three in four Malaysian digital consumers having used Gen AI tools, this strong daily engagement is laying a solid foundation for the next phase of AI-powered growth. In line with the nation’s goal of becoming a regional digital leader by 2030, Google remains fully committed to supporting Malaysia’s ambition to build an inclusive, innovative, and AI-ready digital economy."
“Southeast Asia’s digital economy has shown extraordinary growth and remarkable resilience, sustaining momentum despite periods of investor caution and a shifting macroeconomic landscape over the last decade. Malaysia now stands at the forefront as Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing digital economy, on track to reach US$39 billion in GMV by 2025. Powered by robust growth across ecommerce, online travel, cashless payments, and expanding AI-ready infrastructure, Malaysia is cementing its position as a digital leader in the region. The real opportunity now lies in how businesses harness AI as a catalyst for impact while building on Malaysia’s strong digital foundations,” said Amanda Chin, Partner, Bain & Company.
Malaysia’s digital progress is expected to bring meaningful benefits to consumers and businesses including improved travel services, broader access to secure and convenient digital financial solutions, and expanding opportunities in AI, cloud services and digital skills development.