Malaysia’s ambition to become an AI Nation by 2030 must be guided by human values, ethics and digital sovereignty, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
In a Facebook post, Anwar shared insights from his special lecture titled “Humanity in a Human-Machine Civilisation” delivered at the University of Tokyo, where he reflected on the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for society.
He said while AI is advancing at remarkable speed, the greater challenge lies in ensuring technology serves humanity rather than shaping it.
Malaysia has set its sights on becoming an AI Nation by 2030, but Anwar stressed that the country must also define the kind of digital civilisation it seeks to build.
“Asia must not enter the age of artificial intelligence merely as a market, a manufacturing base or a source of data. We must help shape a digital civilisation worthy of humankind,” he said.
Anwar noted that despite major technological breakthroughs, the world continues to grapple with war, oppression and humanitarian crises, citing the conflict in Gaza, violence in Iran and Lebanon, and the global energy crisis linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
He said some of these challenges have been enabled or amplified by technologies often associated with progress.
“The true measure of advancement lies not in the sophistication of the machines we create, but in whether they uplift human dignity and strengthen the cause of justice,” he said.
Drawing on the concept of ningen by Japanese philosopher Watsuji Tetsurō, Anwar said human beings are shaped by relationships, community, history and shared experiences — qualities that cannot be replicated by machines.
While AI can generate persuasive answers and comforting words, he said it cannot genuinely experience love, loss or remorse.
Anwar said the future of AI is not merely a question of innovation, but also one of values, power and sovereignty, calling for technological progress to be guided by wisdom and compassion.
“Our challenge is not to resist progress, but to ensure that it remains firmly in the service of humanity,” he added.
