Kuala lumpur: Parents need to be more careful and take notice if their children start using artificial intelligence (AI) as chat buddies or 'friends', said Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil. He emphasized that while AI can assist in various tasks such as obtaining information and opinions, it should not be mistaken for human companionship or considered as a 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend'.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi highlighted the dangers of AI that mimics human conversation, cautioning that although AI can interact like a human, it remains a machine taught by humans with human-derived information. He urged parents to seek help or intervention from schools if necessary and stressed that AI can sometimes provide inaccurate or outdated information.
Fahmi advised against banning internet use for children entirely, advocating instead for controlled and monitored use. He also expressed concern about cyberbullying, particularly among the Indian community, noting that Tamil-speaking users in TikTok Group Live sessions faced bullying. Fahmi discussed this issue with TikTok, focusing on the limitations of AI in understanding language nuances that could lead to bullying.
In a press conference, Fahmi mentioned that social media platforms have been given several months to adjust their systems in line with the Child Protection Code (CPC) and Risk Mitigation Code (RMC). He noted that these codes have been communicated to platform operators to prevent platforms from becoming hubs for crimes like fraud, online gambling, and cyberbullying.
He further stated that discussions are underway between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and platforms in Singapore, including YouTube, to ensure compliance with CPC and RMC. Failure to comply once the codes are fully implemented could result in court action and significant fines.
The Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Safe Internet PTA Convention 2026, organized by GoStrong Malaysia Foundation in collaboration with MCMC, gathered nearly 500 participants, including parents, teachers, and representatives from various sectors.