Latest news with #ASEANAIMalaysiaSummit2025
Forbes
20 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
A Fourth Path: Malaysia's Quiet AI Revolution
The recently concluded ASEAN AI Malaysia Summit 2025 was more than a conference. It was a deliberate assertion of technological self-determination, designed to resonate beyond Southeast Asia. Sovereignty of artificial intelligence as cultural preservation – another AI revolution in the making? The Incomplete Triangle Of AI Supremacy The main story people tell about AI has boiled down to a narrow view that treats it mostly as a geopolitical competition: Washington versus Beijing versus Europe, capitalism versus authoritarian control versus consumer orientation. In this dynamic the so-called Global South is often relegated to passive consumption of technologies designed in Western boardrooms, deployed from US-based corporations, trained on English language and culture. This thinking — amplified by extensive 24/7 hybrid media coverage and heated venture capital echo chambers — obscures a more nuanced transformation occurring at the periphery of traditional power structures. Malaysia is participating in the accelerating AI discourse, and it is beginning to rewrite the terms of engagement. What emerges from Kuala Lumpur is neither imitation nor opposition, but a coherent alternative – which challenges the foundational assumptions of AI development itself. This is not about catching up with existing paradigms, but about creating new ones — a post-colonial reimagining of what artificial intelligence can become if it can be freed from the extractive logic of platform capitalism and rather be guided by a deliberate intent to maximise values and social benefits. Digital Sovereignty As Epistemic Independence Launched yesterday Malaysia's National Cloud Computing Policy is a prime example of this approach. More than mere infrastructure policy, it represents what postcolonial theorists might call epistemic disobedience — the rejection of technological dependence as natural or inevitable. By mandating data sovereignty and creating indigenous cloud infrastructure, Malaysia is operationalizing technology designed by and for specific cultural contexts, not imposed from above. The projected US$26.18 billion (RM110 billion) in economic impact by 2028 is significant, but the strategic implications are revolutionary: it is proof that economic development need not require digital colonization. The Ilmu Paradigm: Language As Liberation Technology The unveiling of Ilmu on August 12th — Malaysia's first indigenous multimodal AI model embodies a challenge to AI universalism. Developed through the partnership between YTL AI Labs and Universiti Malaya, Ilmu demonstrates that linguistic diversity is not a market inefficiency to be optimized away, but a source of algorithmic advantage. This matters because language models encode worldviews. When AI systems are trained exclusively on English-dominant datasets, they embed particular ways of understanding reality, hence a coloniality of knowledge weaves past mindsets and values into future algorithms. Ilmu's focus on Bahasa Melayu (Malaysian language) and local dialects is thus both an act of cognitive sovereignty, ensuring that Malaysian AI reflects Malaysian 'ways of knowing'. At the same time it is a pragmatic path to ensure that Ilmu is configured to give the best possible answers to its proprietary customers: Malaysian individuals and institutions. The collaboration with DeepSeek's open-source LLM amplifies this. By becoming the first nation to deploy open-source LLMs at scale, Malaysia has chosen interoperability over dependency, commons over enclosure. The resulting innovations — including NurAI, the world's first Shariah-compliant AI chatbot — demonstrate how technological sovereignty enables cultural specificity rather than constraining it. Prosocial AI: Economics Of Post-Extractivism Malaysia's approach crystallizes the logic of prosocial AI — AI systems that are tailored, trained, tested, and targeted to bring out the best in and for people and planet. This is not a pretense of corporate social responsibility nor algorithmic greenwashing, but a deliberate reorientation of technological purpose. Beyond Silicon Valley's 'move fast and break things' moto, and Sam Altman's belief that 'technology happens because it it possible' – the 4T framework of prosocial AI offers a more maturation and meaningful roadmap to not only navigate, but shape the hybrid future. . The underpinning logic addresses the core challenge of our time: operating within planetary boundaries while meeting human needs. Prosocial AI offers a pathway beyond the false choice between growth and sustainability by recognizing that long-term value creation requires embedding social and environmental considerations into the very architecture of technological systems. Rather than treating ethical considerations as constraints, Malaysia has begun to find ways to harness them as competitive advantages. Trust becomes a strategic asset, cultural relevance generates market differentiation and environmental consciousness to open new revenue streams. This is capitalism with different parameters — a form of diverse economies 4.0. Climate-Conscious AI: Technology As A Tipping Element Malaysia's emerging AI strategy comes at a painful juncture in planetary history. Scientists have flagged several ecological tipping points – critical thresholds in the Earth's climate system where a small change can trigger a significant and often irreversible, shift in the system's state. Coming on top and potentially influencing all of them, comes technology as a catalyst that is capable of cascading large-scale transformation for good, or very bad. The urgency cannot be overstated. Current trajectories point toward multiple simultaneous crises: climate breakdown, biodiversity collapse, and social fragmentation. In this context, AI represents both risk and opportunity. Deployed carelessly, AI systems will trigger an ABCD of AI-issues - degrading human agency, fragilizing interpersonal bonds, amplifying resource consumption and accelerating social stratification. Deployed consciously, they offer the opportunity to empower humans as agents of change, optimize resource flows, accelerate renewable energy transitions and help coordinate collective action at previously impossible scales. Malaysia's take on developing an AI framework suggests that technology could become a positive element in the planetary health equation – if regenerative intent were to be embedded into its algorithmic architecture. Future AI systems could be designed not merely to minimize environmental harm, but to actively contribute to ecological restoration. Because a climate-conscious AI approach not only acknowledges that technological transition must occur but acts on it. It's a smart choice. As climate breakdown accelerates and social inequality deepens, the question is not whether AI will reshape society, but whether that reshaping will kill or cultivate human flourishing within planetary boundaries. A true AI revolution is not about more powered technology, but the regenerative human intent that drives it.
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Huawei Cloud: Accelerating Intelligence in ASEAN and Forging a Regional AI Innovation Highland
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The ASEAN AI Malaysia Summit 2025 took place today. Aka Dai, Director of Huawei Cloud Marketing, gave a keynote speech titled "Accelerate Intelligence, Ignite Smart ASEAN." He shared insights on how Huawei Cloud collaborates with ASEAN nations to capitalize on AI opportunities, boost growth, enhance competitiveness, and improve social welfare through cloud and AI technologies. Cloud and AI are now driving national development and enterprise innovation. At this pivotal moment, ASEAN, with its vibrant energy and vision, is embracing these technologies to build global AI leadership. Despite their diverse approaches, member countries share a common goal: to create a forward-thinking innovation hub. "This region is not just a dynamic growth engine. It is a land of pioneers, eager for innovation," said Aka Dai. Huawei has operated in ASEAN for 26 years, and Huawei Cloud has served the region for 7 years. Committed to the principle "In ASEAN, For ASEAN," Huawei Cloud has brought significant local investments and technological advancements. As the fastest-growing cloud provider in ASEAN, Huawei Cloud has seen a 30-fold increase over five years, with annual market growth surpassing 40%, serving numerous public services, financial institutions, carriers, and internet companies. In industry applications, Huawei Cloud follows the "AI for Industries" strategy. Collaborating with customers on real-world projects, Huawei's team of engineers and PhDs has built deep industry knowledge, enhancing productivity worldwide. From R&D and production to supply chain, sales, customer service, and operations—Huawei Cloud has explored over 500 use cases across 30 sectors. In ASEAN, Huawei Cloud has successfully integrated AI into public services, finance, telecommunications, and transportation. In terms of technological innovation, Huawei Cloud significantly lowers the barrier to adopting AI through systematic innovation, making it easier for businesses to harness its power. It offers three core capabilities. First, a robust global network spanning 34 Regions and 101 availability zones (AZs), ensuring high scalability, low latency, and exceptional reliability. In ASEAN alone, Huawei Cloud operates 5 Regions and 17 AZs, offering top-notch network performance for local users. Second, Huawei Cloud features an open model ecosystem, supporting over 160 leading open-source models. Third, Huawei Cloud's Pangu models enable companies to develop cutting-edge industry solutions using a full-range, multi-modal, and innovative three-layer decoupling architecture. When it comes to fostering a thriving ecosystem, Huawei Cloud actively promotes the "Cloud for Good" initiative, leveraging cloud and AI to benefit humanity, nature, and sustainable development. In terms of talent development, Huawei has partnered with 49 institutions in Malaysia since 2021 to train over 54,000 individuals and aims to train 30,000 AI professionals in the next three years. Huawei Cloud is dedicated to being a long-term partner in the dynamic, agile, and inclusive ASEAN region. We collaborate with local businesses to drive continuous innovation, aiming to empower AI pioneers in industries.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
No Malaysian should be left behind in AI growth
KUALA LUMPUR: Artificial intelligence (AI) development in Malaysia must be inclusive and ensure that every segment of society benefits, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. He said that whether through cloud-based platforms for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) or AI-assisted diagnostics for remote clinics, such technologies must deliver tangible value to every Malaysian. 'Through various initiatives, we are empowering Malaysians to compete and lead in the global digital economy across numerous sectors, such as agriculture, education, healthcare, finance, and even tourism. 'However, AI-driven productivity must benefit every Malaysian, with no one left behind, and we must be inclusive and work together,' he said in his keynote address at the Huawei Cloud AI Ecosystem Summit APAC 2025, held in conjunction with the ASEAN AI Malaysia Summit 2025 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) today. The minister stated that building an 'AI nation' under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) necessitates strengthening infrastructure, enhancing security, and developing local talent, with collaboration playing a pivotal role in achieving these objectives. 'While we speak of infrastructure, security and talent, there is much we can learn from industry and our friends in the region and globally about how other countries, sectors and industries have developed,' he said. He commended Huawei Malaysia for its proactive role in shaping Malaysia's digital economy and developing local talent. 'The Huawei ICT Academy and its AI Talent Development Plan, for example, are nurturing a highly skilled, future-ready workforce equipped with industry-relevant expertise. I am pleased to note that Huawei Malaysia's AI-Native cloud infrastructure showcase, built in collaboration with local partners, exemplifies how collaboration can drive intelligent, sector-wide upgrades,' he said. He also emphasised the importance of governance and regulatory frameworks to ensure that AI adoption is safe and sustainable, particularly as the country becomes more dependent on data-driven infrastructure. 'If you build a country that is fully dependent on data and data centres, then we cannot afford to have a breakdown that impacts all sectors that rely on them,' he added. Gobind said the government must be prepared to adapt policies and legislation in line with new technologies while ensuring that safety and security are not compromised. 'The future is now. We need to start thinking today about how to build an ecosystem that will ensure that, in five years, when new technology is rolled out, Malaysia is ready for it,' he added. - Bernama
Barnama
2 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
No Malaysian Should Be Left Behind In AI Growth -- Gobind
BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- Artificial intelligence (AI) development in Malaysia must be inclusive and ensure that every segment of society benefits, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. He said that whether through cloud-based platforms for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) or AI-assisted diagnostics for remote clinics, such technologies must deliver tangible value to every Malaysian. "Through various initiatives, we are empowering Malaysians to compete and lead in the global digital economy across numerous sectors, such as agriculture, education, healthcare, finance, and even tourism. "However, AI-driven productivity must benefit every Malaysian, with no one left behind, and we must be inclusive and work together," he said in his keynote address at the Huawei Cloud AI Ecosystem Summit APAC 2025, held in conjunction with the ASEAN AI Malaysia Summit 2025 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) today. The minister stated that building an 'AI nation' under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) necessitates strengthening infrastructure, enhancing security, and developing local talent, with collaboration playing a pivotal role in achieving these objectives. "While we speak of infrastructure, security and talent, there is much we can learn from industry and our friends in the region and globally about how other countries, sectors and industries have developed," he said. He commended Huawei Malaysia for its proactive role in shaping Malaysia's digital economy and developing local talent. "The Huawei ICT Academy and its AI Talent Development Plan, for example, are nurturing a highly skilled, future-ready workforce equipped with industry-relevant expertise. I am pleased to note that Huawei Malaysia's AI-Native cloud infrastructure showcase, built in collaboration with local partners, exemplifies how collaboration can drive intelligent, sector-wide upgrades," he said. He also emphasised the importance of governance and regulatory frameworks to ensure that AI adoption is safe and sustainable, particularly as the country becomes more dependent on data-driven infrastructure. 'If you build a country that is fully dependent on data and data centres, then we cannot afford to have a breakdown that impacts all sectors that rely on them,' he added. Gobind said the government must be prepared to adapt policies and legislation in line with new technologies while ensuring that safety and security are not compromised. 'The future is now. We need to start thinking today about how to build an ecosystem that will ensure that, in five years, when new technology is rolled out, Malaysia is ready for it,' he added. -- BERNAMA
Sinar Daily
3 days ago
- Business
- Sinar Daily
PM launches ILMU, Malaysia's first home-grown multimodal AI
Fully developed, owned and operated in Malaysia, it is built by YTL AI Labs, in partnership with Universiti Malaya. 12 Aug 2025 08:43pm Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim delivers his keynote address at the official launch of the ASEAN AI Malaysia Summit 2025 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre, today. - Photo by Bernama KUALA LUMPUR - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched Malaysia's home-grown multimodal artificial intelligence (AI) model, 'ILMU', during the inaugural ASEAN AI Malaysia Summit 2025 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) today. ILMU is Malaysia's own multimodal large language model (LLM), trained on local language and data to understand our culture, context and daily realities. Fully developed, owned and operated in Malaysia, it is built by YTL AI Labs, in partnership with Universiti Malaya (UM). ILMU keeps data local and gives the nation strategic control over its AI future, ensuring we lead with intelligence rooted in our own values and voice. The name ILMU stands for Intelek Luhur Malaysia Untukmu, reflecting the model's core values of 'Intelek', for context-aware intelligence; 'Luhur', for ethical foundations rooted in Malaysian values; 'Malaysia', for cultural and linguistic fluency; and 'Untukmu', because it is built to serve all Malaysians. ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn and Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo were also present at the launch. Meanwhile, Gobind, in a statement, applauded the establishment of ILMU, a groundbreaking Malaysian innovation by YTL AI Labs that reflects the national vision for a future driven by technology, inclusivity, and cultural relevance. "Built by Malaysians for Malaysians, ILMU showcases our ability to create world-class AI infrastructure while preserving our linguistic and cultural identity. "This is more than just technology; it is a step towards empowering our people, our businesses, and our nation in the digital era,' he said. YTL Power International Bhd managing director Datuk Seri Yeoh Seok Hong said ILMU represents YTL's commitment to innovation, rooted in Malaysia's diverse cultural and intellectual heritage. YTL AI Labs said ILMU performed on par with state-of-the-art models like GPT-4o and Llama 3.1. It said ILMU achieved the highest score among all frontier models in Bahasa Melayu language understanding (MalayMMLU - a test of multi-domain knowledge in Malay), demonstrating stronger performance on real-world prompts. ILMUchat (the AI Chatbot) for consumers will be available for early access on Malaysia Day, Sept 16, 2025. The public is welcome to register their interest at - BERNAMA
