Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced Malaysia's ambitious artificial intelligence (AI) strategy at Google's "MANTAP Malaysia Bersama AI" event, emphasising the country's goal to become an AI leader in ASEAN with support from tech giants like Google.
In a speech delivered at The St. Regis, Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim outlined Malaysia's comprehensive plan to harness the power of AI and digital technology for economic advancement. The initiative, part of the MADANI Economic framework, aims to position Malaysia as a hub for Generative Artificial Intelligence and attract significant tech investments.
"Strategic policy interventions are essential and we need their input," Anwar stated, acknowledging Google's crucial role in shaping Malaysia's AI strategy. The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to Ruth Porat and her team for their support, noting, "I must express my thanks to Ruth because your team has been extremely helpful working with our team as colleagues."
The government has launched several key initiatives to drive AI development, including the AI Talent Roadmap for Malaysia (2024-2030), the Malaysia-Artificial Intelligence Consortium (MAIC), and the establishment of the National Artificial Intelligence Office.
Anwar stressed the importance of completing the AI Technology Action Plan (2026 to 2030) within the next 6-12 months, urging his cabinet to expedite the process. "When I said 12 months, this is a suggestion by the Ministers. To me, there is no reason why you need to wait for 12 months, you should be able to complete in 6 months,"
The Prime Minister also highlighted the forthcoming National Cloud Policy, which will focus on four core areas: boosting public service innovation and efficiency, promoting economic competitiveness and growth, strengthening user trust and data security, and empowering citizens through digital inclusivity.
A notable example of AI integration in government services is the Ministry of Education's DELIMa platform, built on Google's cloud technology. Anwar noted, "I am pleased to note that 5.5 million students and teachers in Malaysia today use the DELIMa platform to transform their educational experience."
Looking ahead, Malaysia plans to position itself as a regional champion for digital policies within ASEAN. Anwar stated, "We will position ourselves as a regional champion for digital policies that are forward-looking and transformative, to promote a regulatory environment and encourages technological advancement, and to nurture cross border collaboration."
The Prime Minister concluded by assuring Google of the government's support: "Ruth and the team, let me assure you that you have all our supports and thanks again Google for their confidence and contribution to Malaysia."