Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) showcased its leadership in ethical Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cultural innovation at Magistika Seni Forum 2025, where Associate Professor Ts Dr Vinothini Kasinathan, known as Dr Vino, highlighted the role of Conversational Intelligence (CI) in preserving cultural heritage such as Wayang Kulit.

Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) continued to strengthen its national and regional leadership in ethical artificial intelligence (AI) and cultural innovation through its active participation in Magistika Seni Forum 2025: AIxTECH – Reimagining Performance. 

The University was represented by Associate Professor Ts Dr Vinothini Kasinathan, known as Dr Vino, from APU’s School of Computing (SoC), who contributed expert perspectives on ethical Conversational Intelligence (CI) and cultural preservation.

Held on 27 December 2025 at Robert’s Theatre, The Campus Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, the forum was organised in conjunction with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025 and in support of Visit Malaysia 2026. 

The event brought together leaders from the performing arts, creative industries, technology, academia, and policy sectors to examine how AI is reshaping the future of creative performance.

Reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of the programme, Magistika Seni 2025 featured the AIxCreative Workshop, an Academic Discourse on AIxTECH in Performing Arts, and a three-day musical theatre showcase, all underscoring the importance of responsible, future-oriented innovation at the intersection of technology and culture.

Representing APU on the Ethics, Cultural Integrity & Policy Futures panel, Dr Vino shared insights drawn from the University’s growing research strength in CI. 

She highlighted how ethical CI can serve as a powerful enabler for cultural stewardship — preserving, reinterpreting, and sustaining traditional art forms such as Wayang Kulit for future generations, while complementing rather than replacing human creativity.

She further emphasised how CI technologies developed within academic environments such as APU can support artists, educators, and students in documenting cultural heritage, expanding storytelling possibilities, and engaging global audiences through culturally grounded and responsible innovation.

APU’s participation was further elevated by the presence of distinguished panellists, including Ms Zainariah Johari, Board Member of ASWARA and former Group Chief Executive Officer of MyCreative Ventures; Mr Hesmel Faznee Ahmad Faisal, Assistant Director of the Research and Development Division at the National Department of Culture and Arts (JKKN); and Mr Qush Mohammed, Chief Executive Officer of QLead Synergy and Chairman of Persatuan Pancha Seniloka Kebangsaan (PANCHA). 

The forum was also honoured by prominent VIPs, including Mr Mohd Radzi Omar, Deputy Director General (Culture and Arts) of JKKN under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia; Ms Hanida Mohamed Yusof, Production Director of Istana Budaya; and Dr Fara Dayana Mohd Jufry, Senior Lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), highlighting its national significance and cross-sector relevance.

As part of APU’s academic community, Dr Vino’s research reflects the University’s sustained commitment to integrating CI with culture and creative practice. 

Since 2023, her work at APU has progressed from early experimentation to award-winning innovation, focusing on heritage chatbots, vertical conversational agents, and gamified storytelling systems that revitalise Wayang Kulit, traditional performance arts, cultural tourism narratives, and indigenous music for digital-native learners.

Initiatives such as WayangWayang 2.0, Ravana Reimagined, CenderaWauBot, Ramabot Saga, and the Next-Gen Kompang Chatbot exemplify how APU-driven research positions CI as a cultural storyteller and educational tool that supports sustainable heritage transmission, experiential learning, and community engagement. 

This sustained research direction places APU among the key advocates of AI-driven intangible heritage innovation in Malaysia and the wider region.

Under Dr Vino’s mentorship, APU students have secured multiple gold awards and top honours at major innovation platforms, including IUCEL 2023, MTE 2024, ITEX 2024, the ERA Inter-Varsity Innovation Competition 2024, Edu@Innovate 2025, INDeS 2025, and the UPM I-PICTL and SULAM Carnival 2025. 

These accolades were earned through CI-driven heritage projects that demonstrate how Malaysian cultural narratives, when empowered by ethical technology, can achieve strong global resonance.

Dr Vino’s leadership was further recognised through the formal extension of her appointment by QLead Synergy and Persatuan Pancha Seniloka Kebangsaan (PANCHA). 

APU celebrated this recognition as a testament to the University’s enduring impact in bridging CI with cultural preservation and creative expression, while positioning Malaysia as a forward-thinking leader in AI-integrated performing arts where tradition and innovation evolve together responsibly.