Kuala lumpur: Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo have stressed the urgent need for Malaysia to strengthen its digital ecosystem to fully harness the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and remain competitive amid rapid global technological change. Speaking at the ‘Ministerial Forum: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Future Workforce’, held in conjunction with the International Young Future Leaders Summit (iFuture) 2025 here today, both ministers underlined the importance of readiness, responsible adoption and a whole-of-nation approach in embracing AI.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi stated that AI should be viewed as a tool to enhance human capabilities rather than replace them. He emphasized the importance of having the right mindset to adapt to technological advancements. Fahmi noted that students are generally more open to adopting AI than lecturers or administrators, highlighting the crucial role of leadership in guiding its responsible use.
The forum was moderated by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Chairman Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar. Fahmi mentioned a report by McKinsey and Company’s Super Agency in the Workplace, indicating that employees are often more ready than corporate leaders to embrace digital transformation. He also shared that while Pos Malaysia’s sorting machines can process 22,000 letters a minute compared to 1,500 a day by a human worker, they still require human intervention for unclear handwriting, demonstrating technology’s limitations.
Fahmi warned about the risks of AI misuse, citing examples like deepfakes and scams. He noted that while AI presents significant opportunities, it also poses threats, as many have experienced deepfake scams using their likeness.
Gobind Singh Deo emphasized that Malaysia must establish a strong infrastructure, data, and trust foundation to prepare for AI transformation. He highlighted the recently enacted Data Sharing Act, which facilitates secure data digitization and the development of AI solutions. Gobind mentioned that major global tech firms such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Google, Oracle, and NVIDIA are setting up data centers in Malaysia, enhancing its digital capacity to support an AI-driven economy.
He stressed that confidence and readiness should grow alongside innovation, noting that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s vision of making Malaysia an AI nation by 2030 requires immediate, coordinated action across all sectors to remain competitive.