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This article is the second of a three-part series. You can read Part 1 and Part 3 here.
As Malaysia nears a digital revolution, AI and automation are poised to redefine its industrial landscape, transforming business operations and global competitiveness. This shift represents a fundamental change, impacting how industries like finance, healthcare, and governance function and innovate. To fully harness these technologies, organisations must focus on process optimisation, decision-making, and personalised customer experiences, requiring collaboration from all stakeholders.
Emphasising sustainable development, the government supports this shift through initiatives like the National AI Framework. Workforce upskilling, ethical considerations, and strong regulations are key to responsible adoption.
Successfully integrating AI and automation will boost efficiency, scalability, and innovation, though challenges like employee training and seamless integration remain crucial to address.
At the OpenGov Event on 11 September 2024 at Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara, senior digital executives discussed integrating AI and automation, highlighting the National AI Framework’s role and the need for public-private partnerships to advance these technologies.
Sessions at the event highlighted the need to upskill the workforce to keep pace with the evolving digital landscape. Speakers emphasised that while AI and automation can boost productivity, their effective deployment depends on properly training employees.
As Malaysia progresses towards becoming a digital-first nation, the event’s insights will shape its AI and automation strategy, bringing it closer to its digital transformation goals and future resilience.
YBrs. Tuan Ma. Sivanesan, Deputy Secretary General of Digital Development at the Ministry of Digital, the esteemed guest of honour and distinguished panellist was joined by Dickson Woo, Managing Director and Technology Leader at IBM in a highly insightful panel session to discuss the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in Malaysia. Together, they shared their strategic vision for accelerating Malaysia’s AI agenda, driving transformative innovation, and shaping the nation’s digital future.
In Conversation With
Malaysia’s AI Roadmap Beyond 2025
YBrs. Tuan Ma. Sivanesan, Deputy Secretary General of Digital Development at the Ministry of Digital, says, It is clear that “Malaysia’s AI strategy aligns closely with broader national initiatives like the National Industrial Master Plan.”
As the AI landscape rapidly evolves, Malaysia is determined to leverage AI’s transformative power to fuel economic growth, stimulate innovation, and propel societal advancement across multiple sectors. By strategically positioning itself at the forefront of AI development, the nation aims to secure a competitive edge in the global digital economy and ensure long-term sustainable progress.
The AI movement is designed to address current challenges while also pushing the country to keep pace with evolving technologies and trends in artificial intelligence. To support this, Malaysia is actively building an ecosystem that can help drive AI adoption and innovation.
Mr Siva acknowledges how the rise of AI is set to transform many aspects of life, from how people work to how policies and regulations are established. “It’s clear that AI will have a significant impact on everyone, so it is crucial to assess these changes early and ensure that we are ready to address them.”
A crucial element of this strategy is the newly established Ministry of Digital, which was formed just eight months ago. This ministry will serve as the focal point for the nation’s AI and digital strategies.
The national AI office under the Ministry of Digital will focus on three key pillars:
Strategic Direction: The office will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies, policies, and regulations to shape the future of AI in the country. It will manage discussions on how best to govern and harness AI for the benefit of the nation.
Innovation and Industrial Development: This pillar aims to foster collaboration between companies, developers, and other stakeholders to ensure that innovation continues to thrive. It will create a cohesive ecosystem where all players are aligned in their efforts to drive AI-related developments.
Skills Development: It is essential to identify the skills needed across various sectors, from consumers to industries, academia, and the general population. The goal is to equip people with the necessary knowledge to effectively engage with AI technologies.
Ultimately, it is not about becoming the undisputed leader in AI within the region, but about having a strong, meaningful presence that allows us to contribute effectively.
“Our focus should be on ensuring that, even if we are not the regional leader, we are certainly not lagging behind,” asserts Mr Siva. “By doing so, we can make a significant and lasting impact in the AI space.”
The Malaysian government is also focused on providing a system that people can trust. This involves creating a reliable framework that supports the changes AI will bring, especially in terms of how platforms evolve over time.
Mr Siva emphasises the importance of working synergistically, “Collaboration with various stakeholders is essential to ensure that everyone is aligned and working towards shared goals.”
He is confident that Malaysia possesses the necessary resources, such as high-capacity data centres and cutting-edge technology, to support the transformation. “We are working to build a framework that ensures our data centres are not only efficient in the short term but are also designed for long-term use.”
Moreover, the government is actively addressing the need for equal access to AI knowledge, recognising that accessibility is key to fostering a digitally inclusive society.
“The initiative for AI was very successful,” notes Mr Siva. “By last month, approximately 1.5 million people had gained access to the programme, providing them with fundamental knowledge on how to utilise AI.”
The government also operates various programmes aimed at promoting digital empowerment. One example is the Executive Leadership Programme, which emphasises digital leadership with a strong focus on AI knowledge. These initiatives are further supported by collaborations with other agencies.
The government has been persistent in ensuring that talent development is inclusive, allowing everyone to participate in and benefit from the country’s digital transformation.
“We are committed to a comprehensive approach, ensuring that no one is left behind,” he summarises, “ Inclusive talent development is essential to providing equal opportunities for everyone to benefit from AI advancements.”
Dickson Woo, Managing Director and Technology Leader at IBM believes that organisations should employ strategies for ensuring compliance with privacy regulations during AI integration.
According to Dickson, driving AI adoption is like pressing the accelerator to the maximum; but for it to be safe, a robust braking system is essential. This “braking system” refers to cybersecurity measures that ensure a company’s cyber posture is strong. A key element of this is data access control – making sure that only the right personnel have access to sensitive systems and data.
Next, data privacy becomes crucial. Implementing a diversity framework helps maintain the privacy of the data being processed and stored. Organisations must also build resilience in their systems to prepare for potential cyberattacks. This means having clear strategies in place for detecting and responding to security threats.
For effective AI integration, Dickson emphasises the need for a strong cybersecurity infrastructure and governance policies. A prime example is the promotion of IBM platforms like WatsonX, a comprehensive tool launched last year that helps organisations implement AI from the ground up.
“By utilising accessible tools, the right technologies, and expert consulting, companies can navigate the AI journey securely and efficiently,” Dickson asserts.
Furthermore, Dickson opines that allocating resources effectively to the Gen AI initiative is crucial for businesses aiming to maximise their tech spending and gain a competitive advantage.
“CEOs often prioritise three main objectives: increasing revenue, reducing costs, and managing risk, ” Dickson observes. “To align Gen AI spending with these goals, it is essential to define clear objectives and understand how AI can contribute to each area.”
One key area where AI can make a significant impact is customer service. Organisations are increasingly relying on AI to enhance customer interactions, says Dickson. For instance, systems like IBM’s Genesis have revolutionised customer service, with AI handling nearly 95% of tasks previously managed by human agents.
Productivity is another critical focus. AI-driven systems, such as a personal assistant integrated with HR functions, can streamline operations. As an example, IBM’s AI HR system allows employees to access multiple applications through a single dashboard. This integration not only simplifies processes but also boosts overall productivity.
Application modernisation is a crucial aspect, as many organisations struggle to integrate new AI technologies with legacy systems. AI tools like IBM’s WatsonX Code Assistant are pivotal in transforming outdated code into modern formats, creating new opportunities and enabling smoother integration with current AI solutions.
“By addressing key areas such as customer service, productivity, and application modernisation, businesses can ensure their tech investments deliver substantial returns and offer a strategic edge in a competitive landscape,” Dickson concludes.
This article is the second of a three-part series. You can read Part 1 and Part 3 here.
