Malaysia Minister of Economy, Rafizi Ramli officially launched the “AI for the People” program at Dewan Besar, UPM Serdang, Selangor, marking a significant step toward bridging the digital literacy gap in Malaysia. The launch event, attended by distinguished figures including Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, highlighted the program’s importance in ushering Malaysians into a new technological era.
The program, designed to provide fundamental knowledge about artificial intelligence (AI), aimed to empower citizens from all walks of life, making AI education accessible to everyone. Noteworthy attendees at the launch included Chief Secretary to the Government, YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Mohd Zuki Ali, and Managing Director of Intel Malaysia, Ms. AK Chong.
Rafizi emphasised that we are on the cusp of a technological revolution, citing the rapid progress of AI since the 1990s and the transformative impact it has had on various aspects of daily life. From speech recognition on smartphones to generative AI applications like ChatGPT and DALL-e, AI is already an integral part of our lives.
“Whether we are aware of it or not, AI technology is now in use all around us. It encompasses speech recognition on smartphones, such as the “Hi PROTON” feature in Proton cars that can execute commands simply by listening to our conversations. It extends to social media applications capable of transforming our faces into various entertaining facial expressions. Additionally, it includes Generative AI applications that can produce creative works, be it in the form of text or art, like ChatGPT and DALL-e. Furthermore, AI applications are employed in the medical sector in various forms, ranging from customer service to data analysis and assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.” he said.
The Minister stressed the role of AI in driving productivity and economic growth, citing a report by the Malaysia Centre for 4th Industrial Revolution that estimates the potential of Generative AI alone to contribute USD113.4 billion to the Malaysian economy if fully adopted across all industries.
The ambitious KL20 aspiration, aiming to position Malaysia among the top 20 innovation hubs and startup ecosystems globally by 2030, was also highlighted during the launch. To achieve this, Rafizi outlined three key success factors: a robust ecosystem, open data policies, and the availability of local talent.
“The Malaysia 2030 Digital Economy Action Framework (MDEB 2030), the National Fourth Industrial Revolution Policy, the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), the 12th Malaysia Plan, and the AI Roadmap are among the plans and policies that have been launched to build a robust, competitive, and sustainable technology ecosystem.” he added.
The government’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration was underscored by partnerships with leading companies, such as NVIDIA, to build the necessary infrastructure for AI innovation. Additionally, initiatives like OpenDOSM and the PADU database, supported by the upcoming Omnibus Act, are set to play a crucial role in enhancing data-sharing practices.
Rafizi also mentioned the KL20 document will be launched soon, outlining targeted reform initiatives to develop a robust and sustainable innovation ecosystem for startups. “This includes establishing a Startup Single Window, with an allocation of RM 28 million in the 2024 Budget, bringing together startups, investors, venture capital companies, and all government departments and agencies in a data-sharing platform. This platform aims to empower data-driven decisions and drive growth in the economic sector.” he stated.
In an effort to ensure that Malaysia remains competitive in the digital era, the Minister highlighted the importance of cultivating local talent. Vigorous efforts are being made to enhance digital skills and reskilling across all levels of society, aligning with the government’s goal of building a healthy talent pipeline.
In collaboration with Intel Malaysia, the government introduced the “AI for the People” program as a crucial step in democratising AI education. The self-learning online portal, available in Malay, English, Mandarin, and Tamil, offers two modules, AI Aware and AI Appreciate. Rafizi expressed optimism about reaching the target of 1 million participants within three years.
“In addition to social media promotions, the program will also be promoted through government departments and agencies such as Rakan Muda under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the PEDI network under the Ministry of Communication, the National Science Centre under the Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation, and others. Aligned with a ‘whole-nation approach’ under the MADANI framework, private sector involvement is also welcomed to jointly ensure the success of this program.” he added.
The “AI for the People” program is positioned as a key initiative to bridge the digital literacy gap. For students, it provides a fundamental overview of the AI world, aiming to spark interest and potentially pave the way for future careers. The broader community is encouraged to embrace the program, dispelling Hollywood-inspired misconceptions about AI and recognizing its potential to bring significant benefits to individuals, society, and the nation.
The Minister concluded by urging all Malaysians to seize this free opportunity, enhancing their knowledge of AI technology and contributing to the collective effort of building a technology-savvy society. The program aligns with the government’s vision of transforming Malaysia into a digitally-based economy by 2030, making strides toward achieving the KL20 aspiration.
