KUALA LUMPUR, 11 March 2026 – Malaysia’s REV Media Group has partnered with AI technology firm DeeperDive to introduce a generative-AI search engine on the news portal of New Straits Times, marking a significant step toward AI-driven journalism and digital reader engagement.
The new system, known as DeeperDive, functions as a generative AI “answer engine” embedded directly within the publisher’s website, allowing readers to ask questions and receive immediate contextual answers based on the news organisation’s own content archive.
AI Search Built for News Portals
Unlike traditional search bars that return a list of links, the DeeperDive platform generates direct answers and summaries sourced from the publication’s verified articles and editorial content.
Readers visiting the NST portal can ask questions about current events, business, politics or other topics and receive responses generated from the outlet’s reporting. The system also recommends related stories and additional context from the same publisher.
Executives at REV Media Group say the move is intended to transform how readers discover and interact with news content, making information retrieval faster and more conversational.
Enhancing Audience Engagement
The AI tool aims to deepen engagement by allowing audiences to explore topics more easily while staying within the publisher’s ecosystem.
Instead of searching externally through traditional search engines, readers can ask questions directly on the news site and receive curated answers drawn from trusted journalism.
REV Media Group’s leadership says the integration will:
- Encourage deeper exploration of archived content
- Increase time spent on the news portal
- Improve reader retention and loyalty
By connecting AI responses to verified reporting, the company hopes to maintain credibility while adopting emerging AI technologies in the media industry.
Monetisation Opportunities
Beyond reader experience, the platform may also create new advertising revenue streams for publishers.
The AI search engine can display context-relevant advertisements alongside generated answers, potentially allowing publishers to capture “search-style” advertising revenue within their own websites rather than relying solely on external search platforms.
This model could help news organisations regain control over traffic and monetisation in an era where digital publishers increasingly compete with global technology platforms.
AI Transformation in Malaysia’s Media Industry
REV Media Group, the digital arm of Media Prima Berhad, operates a network of more than 30 media brands and reaches over 10 million monthly users across its platforms.
The launch positions the group as one of the first publishers in Malaysia to integrate a generative-AI search engine directly into a news website.
Media analysts say the move reflects a broader trend in global media, where publishers are experimenting with AI tools to enhance content discovery, compete with large tech platforms and unlock new revenue channels.
