Anwar flags risks of ‘AI Productivity Paradox' in Malaysia's digital drive
He said the paradox refers to situations where large investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation may not necessarily translate into higher productivity.
'I hope this matter is given special attention by the Digital Ministry, the Communications Ministry and department heads.
'We don't want to fall into what is called 'trough of disillusionment' due to assumptions made on massive allocations for digital transformation and AI programmes, which will reach tens of billions of ringgit over the next five years,' he said.
The 'trough of disillusionment' refers to a stage in the adoption cycle of new technology when early high expectations are not met, leading to disappointment, doubts and declining confidence before the technology matures.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, urged the Digital Ministry and Communications Ministry to look into data governance as well as integration, IT and AI challenges with a focus on outcomes.
He said this when delivering his address at the Prime Minister's Monthly Assembly with staff of the Prime Minister's Department (JPM) here today.
Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz.
The prime minister did not rule out the possibility of shortcomings in handling the death of student Zara Qairina in Sabah on July 17, including in terms of the investigation and certain delays, but stressed that the authorities are addressing the matter as best as possible.
'DPM Fadillah, DPM Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and I have already issued statements, and we have held a high-level meeting to ensure that the investigation is transparent,' he said.
Commenting on bullying, Anwar stressed that the culture must be completely eradicated, as it constitutes psychological and physical abuse with major repercussions for society.
'Certain controversies in the country, especially several cases of the deaths of our children — our child Zara (Qairina) in Sabah, Faris (Wan Ahmad Faris Wan Abdul Rahman) in Kelantan and several other cases — are said to be bullying cases.
'Bullying is psychological and physical abuse, whether in schools, universities, offices, or the Health Ministry (MOH). This culture must be stopped, as it is a form of depravity involving humiliation based on someone's person, skin colour and more,' he said.
Yesterday, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, together with the police, is determining the identity of a TikTok user who claimed to be a surgeon involved in Zara Qairina's case.
Fahmi was reported as saying the individual claimed to have been present during the post-mortem of the Form One student on Aug 10, but checks by MOH confirmed that the person was neither a specialist doctor nor an MOH staff member.
Zara Qairina died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu on July 17. She had been admitted to the hospital after being found unconscious in a drain near the hostel of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar at 4 am on July 16. — Bernama
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