Malaysia is on track to secure over US$40 billion (RM169.2 billion) in artificial intelligence (AI) and data centre investment by 2030, according to new research from global talent solutions partner Robert Walters. Driven by major hyperscalers and global technology companies, this capital is set to position Malaysia as Southeast Asia’s leading AI data centre hub, expanding the country’s role in high-value offshoring.
The Robert Walters Market Intelligence team forecasts that this investment will fuel a surge in demand across the offshoring sector, with hiring for cloud and data centre operations, cloud engineering, data science and analytics, and cybersecurity expected to rise sharply between 2025 and 2027.
“Our latest research underscores Malaysia’s rapidly evolving role as a strategic offshoring location,” said Phill Brown, Head of Market Intelligence at Robert Walters. “The combination of high-value technology hiring, steady demand for support functions, and a projected US$40 billion (RM169.2 billion) in AI data centre investment sets the stage for the country to attract significant regional and global business operations.”
This growth trajectory is reinforced by the government’s National AI Action Plan 2026 – 2030, alongside recent figures showing RM13.29 billion in approved AI-sector investment in the first half of 2025 alone, with the potential to create approximately 6,920 new jobs. Much of this activity is centred around Negeri Sembilan High Tech Industrial Park, which is emerging as a strategic location for AI development in Malaysia.
David Barr, CEO – Outsourcing at Robert Walters, adds, “The findings reflect a significant shift in the global offshoring landscape. While previously focused on cost savings and volume, today’s strategies increasingly prioritise capability, quality, and resilience by tapping into highly skilled international workforces. Strong English proficiency, technical expertise, and a growing focus on future-ready skills position Malaysia as a compelling offshoring destination for companies looking to scale operations and tap into AI-driven opportunities across Southeast Asia.”
As businesses re-evaluate global workforce strategies, Malaysia stands out for its well-established infrastructure and breadth of expertise across knowledge-based services. The trend is part of a broader evolution in offshoring, where companies are increasingly decentralising high-value operations to locations with strong talent pools and supportive business environments.
These findings are part of Robert Walters’ latest market intelligence on offshoring and global talent trends.
The analysis was compiled from all publicly announced AI and data centre investments in Malaysia between 2023 and 2025, drawing on company press releases, loan agreements, and filings with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). Reported amounts in local currency were converted to USD using the official exchange rates cited in each announcement.
The total investment figure includes: Committed and announced projects – verified through official press releases, news articles, and company or government sources.
Planned projects – disclosed by companies or agencies but not yet finalised. Contracted projects with undisclosed values – estimated using industry-standard benchmarks for AI-ready data centre construction. These estimates account for less than 10% of the total figure, ensuring the analysis is primarily based on confirmed commitments.
