Kuala lumpur: The government is adopting a two-pronged approach by using existing laws to prosecute those who misuse content, while also drafting the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance Bill to further strengthen prevention and accountability throughout the technology's lifecycle. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the move is aimed at ensuring that risks posed by high-capability technologies such as deepfakes, synthetic content, and identity manipulation can be addressed at an early stage.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Gobind emphasized that the layered strategy ensures existing legal measures and the AI Governance Bill complement each other in balancing innovation with systemic risk control. He noted that this proactive approach is crucial to driving the responsible use of AI without compromising public safety, national interests, and comprehensive protection of victims' rights, individual dignity, and children. This was discussed during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat, where Gobind was responding to a question from Wong Shu Qi (PH-Kluang) regarding whether the proposed AI Governance Bill would explicitly address the misuse of AI, including the creation of deepfake child sexual abuse material, identity impersonation, and the dissemination of intimate content without consent.
In response to a supplementary question from Wong on the framework for the AI development industry in Malaysia, Gobind said the proposed legislation is aimed not only at addressing the risks of misuse of the technology but also at creating a framework to ensure AI systems are developed safely from the outset. He further mentioned that the approach complements efforts to strengthen existing laws to address emerging threats arising from the use of AI, including child exploitation, sexual assault, and unlawful content.
Gobind highlighted the holistic view needed for AI regulation, acknowledging that AI cuts across all sectors. He stressed the importance of regulating the process from start to finish, ensuring that AI-generated content is dealt with if it violates the law. In his reply to a supplementary question from Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN-Machang), Gobind discussed the emphasis on AI sovereignty, stating that developing a secure AI ecosystem requires a comprehensive approach to address any legal violations arising from the use of the technology.
He also mentioned that the government is focusing on the safety of AI models, including data protection and product assessment before deployment. The need for building ecosystems was underscored, with existing laws being tightened and expanded to cover all aspects. Reforms are being introduced to ensure effective addressal of not only AI but also new technologies. Emphasis was placed on ensuring that developed models are safe, with guaranteed data security and thorough scrutiny of products before their release.