AI is closing automation gaps—and opening new blind spots

AI is no longer just a feature on a roadmap. This month, it appeared across automation, cybersecurity, and the everyday business applications teams rely on.

One area seeing major change is automation. Traditionally, robotic process automation (RPA) worked best with structured, rule-based data, such as forms and database records. But modern workplaces increasingly depend on unstructured information like emails, PDFs, scanned documents, and conversations that conventional automation struggles to process.

By combining AI, machine learning, and natural language processing, automation systems are becoming better at interpreting information and supporting more adaptive workflows.

One example is intelligent document processing (IDP) in Zoho RPA, where documents and images can be analysed, relevant information extracted, and data routed into workflows across ERP, CRM, and other cloud applications.

We are also seeing conversational workflows emerge through MCP integrations, with tools like Zoho Bookings to manage appointments conversationally and Zoho Assist to manage scheduling and support tasks more naturally through AI-assisted interactions.

There’s more below: product updates, regional discussions, cybersecurity insights, and several developments worth bookmarking.

What AI research teaches beyond technology

Years of AI research often involve far more than building models. They involve experimentation, resilience, and learning through uncertainty. In a recent feature, Sujatha Iyer, our head of AI security at Zoho, shares what AI research has taught her about life—a decade of experiments, setbacks, and breakthroughs that led her to the front lines of AI cybersecurity.

The Invisible War: How AI Is Rewriting the Rules of Cybersecurity for Malaysian Businesses

Here's the growing cybersecurity risks SMEs can no longer ignore. As AI adoption accelerates, cyberattacks are becoming more personalised and increasingly difficult to detect. In a recent editorial, Gibu Mathew, Managing Director of Zoho APAC, discusses how emerging threats like “shadow AI” compromised identities, and long-running AI-powered attacks are reshaping cybersecurity risks for Malaysian SMEs.

Read the full editorial on Malaysia SME.

Understanding the hidden risks behind application sprawl

As SMEs adopt more digital tools, managing passwords, access, and credential visibility is becoming increasingly complex. A recent global study by Zoho Corporation highlights how application sprawl continues to expose businesses to growing security and operational risks.

Explore the key findings on the Zoho APAC Blog, or access the full State of Workforce Password Security Report 2026.

Zoho on the ground Singapore edition

Conversations across customer experience, finance, legal operations, and business transformation

Throughout May, the Zoho team participated in several industry events and workshops across Singapore, connecting with business leaders and professionals exploring the growing role of AI and connected software in everyday operations.

From customer experience discussions at the CX Global Summit, to conversations around compliance and digital transformation at the APAC Legal Congress, as well as workflow and operational visibility sessions during the Finance Plus Workshop, one common theme stood out: businesses are increasingly looking for practical, integrated systems that improve collaboration and operational agility across teams.

View our event highlights and recap on Zoho APAC LinkedIn post.

Product updates designed for growing teams

We've launched the most powerful version of our project management platform. Zoho Projects Infinity is built for teams that operate at scale. Users can now access advanced customisations, industry workflows, and tailored modules to achieve flawless results powered by AI.

There was also a moment that made us genuinely proud: PCMag named Bigin by Zoho CRM the Best Overall CRM for small businesses, recognised for its simplicity, affordability, and strong fit.

One more thing worth flagging: Rows.com is closing on May 31. If your team has workflows living there, now's a good time to find a new home for them—and Zoho Tables is ready with multiple views, built-in automation, relational data, and native iOS and Android apps.

The gaps between your apps, closed

The new Zoho Sign field in Zoho Forms allows you to collect legally binding signatures directly within a form, with no extra steps. Compliant, automated, and done in one flow!

CommandCenter has landed as a standalone product available on CRM Plus, Service Plus, and Zoho One. Design and automate end-to-end customer journeys across every touchpoint—from first hello to long after the sale.

Now a community node on n8n, Zoho Sign lets you build end-to-end signing workflows in one place. It also integrates with Microsoft SharePoint, so signed documents land exactly where your team already stores them.

The Zoho Lens mobile app has a redesigned home screen on both Android and iOS. iOS has added live network insights and QR code support, so you spend less time setting up and more time actually helping.

And, that's a wrap! Every month, a little more gets handled for you. That's the direction we're headed, and we're glad you're along for it.

Until next time,

Nicholas Koh at Zoho