Davos: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the country’s healthcare system will not only boost efficiency but also help reduce cost wastage, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today. He emphasised that since assuming office and taking on the Finance portfolio, his top priorities have consistently been education and healthcare.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Prime Minister stated that it is unjust to deny the majority of people access to the best health facilities and basic infrastructure in hospitals. He highlighted the critical role AI plays in enhancing efficiency and reducing cost wastage during the ‘Country Strategy Dialogue’ session at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Summit 2025.

The Prime Minister responded to a question on AI’s integration into the public health system, with the session moderated by Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, present at the session, pointed out the importance of having the necessary infrastructure for AI to function effectively in healthcare. He stressed the need to digitalise existing analogue data and establish mechanisms for data sharing. By doing so, AI can help find solutions to past problems, marking the first step in building effective ecosystems.

Gobind Singh Deo also highlighted the role of the National AI Office (NAIO) in collaborating with various ministries, starting with the Ministry of Health, to identify and prioritise key focus areas. This collaboration ensures that the government gathers valuable insights to make its efforts more strategic and impactful.

The Prime Minister is currently on a three-day working visit to attend WEF 2025, marking his first attendance since assuming office in 2022.