Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for a united effort to position Malaysia among the top 20 countries in artificial intelligence (AI) technology. In a speech delivered at the International Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Computing, Engineering and Education Science (InvENT 2024) at Universiti Teknologi Mara Shah Alam, Anwar emphasized the importance of collaboration among researchers, developers, and decision-makers to foster responsible and ethical AI development.
Anwar outlined the government's commitment to building a national AI ecosystem, which includes establishing a center of excellence for AI research and education. Additionally, Malaysia plans to develop its own AI cloud computing system, marking a significant step toward advancing the country's technological capabilities.
While highlighting the benefits of AI, such as improving quality of life, efficiency, and creativity, Anwar also warned of the potential risks. He pointed to the dangers of deep fake technology, which can undermine trust in digital content and distort public perception of reality. To address these risks, the government aims to minimize the negative impact of AI on society and ensure robust AI governance through effective policies and laws.
Anwar also touched on Malaysia's active role in shaping digital economy cooperation within ASEAN. He mentioned ongoing efforts, such as the Digital Economy Framework Agreement and the Cyber Security Bill 2024, which was introduced in March. Additionally, the Personal Data Protection Department is finalizing amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act 2010, alongside the development of a national data-sharing bill by the National Digital Department.
The Prime Minister's speech, delivered on his behalf by Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, underscores Malaysia's ambition to be a leader in AI innovation while maintaining a strong focus on ethical and responsible technology use.