Kuala lumpur: The surge of unverified data on social media and the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) are among the biggest challenges faced by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) in safeguarding the credibility of the country's official statistics.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chief Statistician Siti Asiah Ahmad emphasized that these challenges necessitate DOSM to be more agile and flexible in adapting to rapid technological changes. She noted that the overflow of data, where anyone can publish figures that people may believe without knowing their source or validity, poses a significant issue. This is particularly concerning when specific figures are attributed to DOSM without the department's endorsement.
Siti Asiah highlighted DOSM's commitment to providing clarification and promoting data literacy through various platforms, ensuring that accurate information is disseminated and not misinterpreted. She also addressed the potential of AI to transform employment landscapes, particularly in statistics and data analytics, while cautioning that strong statistical knowledge and expertise are crucial to assess and verify AI-generated information properly.
The Chief Statistician pointed out the need for DOSM to reassess its workforce structure and future job requirements, focusing on data collection, analytics, and statistics production. Continuous capacity building among DOSM personnel is essential to prepare for technological challenges, including AI, to maintain relevance and resilience while improving statistical literacy among the public.
Siti Asiah further stated the importance of explaining statistics in accessible language, aligning with the shift from conventional publications to digital approaches. The passage of the Statistics Bill 2026 in Parliament marks a new chapter in strengthening DOSM's role as the leader of the country's data and statistics ecosystem. This legal framework aims to enhance data sharing across ministries, agencies, and the private sector, supporting a unified government approach to producing faster and integrated statistics responsive to national needs.