Accra:The expansion of AI access and internet coverage in Malaysia, as outlined in Budget 2027, should be coupled with practical training, implementation guidance, and quality services to ensure substantial benefits for both the public and businesses.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Persatuan Industri Komputer dan Multimedia Malaysia (PIKOM) chairman Alex Liew highlighted that the 100,000 free AI subscriptions and a RM30 million fund from the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) aim to help 4,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) embrace AI and automation. While these initiatives may lower cost barriers and speed up technology adoption, Liew emphasized that subscriptions should be seen as a starting point. Productivity gains depend on using AI to address specific business challenges and integrating it into work processes.

Liew identified several barriers to AI adoption, including a lack of knowledge about suitable AI applications, disorganized data, constraints related to time and manpower, and the costs associated with integrating AI solutions into existing systems. He noted that many small businesses also require guidance on customer data confidentiality, cybersecurity, and verifying AI-generated outputs' accuracy. To address these challenges, Liew proposed sector-specific training and follow-up guidance lasting three to six months, with outcomes measured by improvements in order processing time, customer response time, error rates, operating costs, and sales changes.

Prof Dr Mohamad Hanif Md Saad, director of the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Digital Technology Centre, suggested that structured AI training should be a prerequisite for accessing free or sponsored subscriptions. This training would cover generative AI fundamentals, prompt-writing skills, and ethical use, including data security, privacy, and copyright. He pointed out that AI should be seen as a productivity assistant rather than a replacement for human expertise, and users need basic knowledge in relevant fields to identify errors in AI-generated responses.

Yap Yoke Har, chairman of the Communications and Multimedia Consumer Forum of Malaysia (CFM), stressed the importance of expanding internet coverage to Orang Asli settlements and underserved areas to bridge the digital divide. She noted that connectivity must be stable, affordable, and secure, regardless of users' location or background. Yap also mentioned that complaints about bills and service disruptions are common, and the initiative to expand coverage is expected to reduce such issues. CFM plans to continue educating consumers on their rights and responsibilities and support initiatives like the Safe Internet Campaign.

Siti Nurliza Samsudin, a technology officer at Sinar Project, a Malaysian civic technology initiative, emphasized that the success of digital and AI initiatives should be measured by their effectiveness in solving intended problems rather than merely counting users. For instance, the Rakyat Digital platform's assessment could focus on whether young users find better employment or educational opportunities. For MSMEs, success indicators could include AI's impact on profits and business sustainability. She also highlighted the need for comprehensive data governance, including reporting data leakage incidents and notifying affected users promptly.