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New Straits Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Gobind Singh on what Malaysia must do to shift to tech-driven future
KUALA LUMPUR: The rapid evolution of technology demands more than just innovation, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said. It also requires regulatory frameworks that align with the modern age to enable the nation's transition to a technology-driven future. "The question is: how do we get people to adopt new technology? It really boils down to creating awareness," Gobind said during the Asean-GCC Economic Forum 2025. "One way to achieve this is by discussing concepts like smart cities, where we can show people how doing things differently can impact their lives and improve outcomes." Outdated Laws Hindering Innovation Gobind highlighted a pressing issue of the legal frameworks governing certain technologies are often outdated and fail to accommodate new advancements. He gives an example of autonomous vehicles which face significant roadblocks under current laws that require a licensed driver for a vehicle to be insured. "Without a licensed driver, challenges arise such as the inability to obtain insurance coverage. This creates a conflict with the law, as a driverless vehicle would technically be considered illegal on public roads," he explained. Such limitations are not unique to autonomous vehicles as other industries face similar barriers where existing legislation restricts the adoption of transformative technologies. Gobind stressed the need to modernise these laws. "Many existing policies and laws were not designed to accommodate new technologies. Reforming such laws is essential to enable the adoption of innovative solutions." A Unified Vision for Technological Progress Gobind said the ministry is working towards creating smarter, AI-driven cities that can improve the quality of life for its citizens especially with the establishment of the National AI Office in December that marked a significant step forward. "Building smarter cities requires collaboration between governments, industries, and communities. It also requires data—lots of it," Gobind said. He acknowledged that the government must digitise its vast repositories of data, create systems for sharing information, and establish integrated frameworks to ensure solutions work seamlessly. Focus Areas: Healthcare, Transport and Beyond The ministry has also identified key sectors where technology can have a transformative impact, including healthcare, transportation, and government services. In healthcare, for instance, Gobind envisioned a future where hospital wait times are drastically reduced through the integration of digital systems while similarly in transportation, he emphasised the importance of managing traffic systems and ensuring timely public transport. "These examples show how adopting technology can make cities smarter and daily life more efficient," Gobind said. However, he cautioned that progress in these areas hinges on addressing legal and regulatory barriers. Role of Legislative Reform in Tech Revolution Meanwhile, Gobind reiterated that legislative reform is a cornerstone of Malaysia's digital transformation strategy. "As we explore the development of autonomous vehicle networks, it's clear that we need to address regulatory conflicts. "The first step is to evaluate the technology itself and identify where the current legal framework may be inadequate or in conflict with these advancements," he said. The ministry's efforts are not just about enabling technology but also ensuring that its benefits are felt across society. By aligning regulations with the realities of modern innovation, the government aims to create an environment where technology can thrive. With its focus on next-generation technology and smart city development, Malaysia is poised to become a leader in technological innovation but Gobind cautioned that achieving this vision requires a clear strategy, robust legislative support, and active collaboration between stakeholders.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MyMahir AI Council launched to future-proof workforce
PETALING JAYA: In a strategic move to future-proof the nation's workforce, Malaysia officially launched the MyMahir National AI Council for Industry (MyMahir-NAICI) yesterday. The council is spearheaded by Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp) under the Human Resources Ministry and the National AI Office through MyDIGITAL Corporation under the Digital Ministry. It aims to coordinate AI talent development and accelerate industry adoption. The launch included the inaugural council meeting and the signing of a memorandum of understanding between TalentCorp and MyDIGITAL, witnessed by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim and Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. 'The question is not whether AI will replace jobs, but whether we will empower Malaysians to evolve with it,' Sim said. 'Through MyMahir-NAICI, we're building a whole-of-nation strategy—aligning skills with strategy, technology with talent, and policy with purpose.' Gobind highlighted the need to link innovation with real-world application. 'The National AI Office drives demand and deployment, TalentCorp shapes the talent supply, and MyMahir-NAICI closes the loop by informing policy and practice.' The council will operate over a three-year period, focusing on four strategic pillars: AI talent development, industry integration, policy and funding alignment and stakeholder governance. TalentCorp will act as secretariat, while the National AI Office ensures alignment with the national AI roadmap. Supporting tools include the MyMahir Impact Study, the platform, the GIAT Action Plan, which promotes coordination across government, industry, academia and training providers, and a comprehensive AI Talent Framework. The AI Readiness Index, embedded in will help companies assess their preparedness and guide transformation strategies. According to the impact study, 620,000 jobs or 18% of Malaysia's formal sector, are expected to be significantly impacted by AI within the next three to five years. In response, 60 new roles have been identified across the AI, digital, green and deep tech sectors. The initiative will be monitored by the newly established AI Implementation Monitoring Unit and supports national agendas including the Madani Economy, New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint.
The Star
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia plans Asean-focused AI trust framework
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is developing a national artificial intelligence (AI) trust framework tailored to its societal needs, with plans to eventually expand the initiative across the Asean region, says Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. He said the National AI Office has been tasked with looking into the framework and that work is currently in progress, involving engagements with industry, academia, civil society, as well as various ministries and agencies. 'Eventually, the framework must grow broader than this. Hence, we are also looking at how we can engage our regional partners and how we can build this kind of ecosystem. 'We are hosting the Asean AI Summit in August. During the summit, we propose to raise these issues and talk about how we can develop a framework that will be able to assist Asean to build an AI safety ecosystem moving forward,' he told the media on the sidelines of PwC Malaysia's AI Leadership Conference 2025. 'Now, the question is how can the country craft its own policy, and then escalate it to the Asean level to see whether we can find a mechanism by which all of us can work together. At the end of the day, there are concerns about how we can ensure that systems are safe and trusted. 'This is something that not only needs to be discussed at the national level, but also beyond that. This is what we hope to achieve moving towards the event in August.' Gobind said Malaysia calls for stronger Asean collaboration to develop common principles and interoperable frameworks for trusted AI and ethical data governance. 'In a region as dynamic and diverse as ours, alignment is not just strategic; it is essential. We believe Malaysia can serve as a testbed for innovation, a regional convener, and a trusted partner in co-developing the governance models that will shape the digital future of South-East Asia,' he said. The minister added that prosperity now hinges on how effectively nations convert raw data into trusted, actionable intelligence – from predictive healthcare and personalised education to automated logistics and intelligent agriculture. 'Trust is what gives data its mobility – and mobility gives data its value. Around the world, nations are embedding trust into the architecture of their digital economies. Gobind said Malaysia is in the early stages of charting its own path, carefully reviewing global models while developing a framework rooted in national values, socio-economic context and regional priorities. 'Our aim is (to create) a distinctly Malaysian trust framework – grounded in public legitimacy, adaptable in regulation, and interoperable across borders.'
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
National AI Trust Framework in the works: Gobind
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is developing a National AI Trust Framework to guide responsible use, build public trust, and position the country as a regional leader in artificial intelligence (AI) governance. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the National AI Office began looking into the AI trust framework earlier this year. 'We have engaged with industry players, academia, civil society, ministries and agencies. This is still a work in progress. What we need is a trust framework that is Malaysia-centric and tailored to the needs of our society,' he told reporters at PwC Malaysia's AI Leadership Conference 2025 today. Gobind said Malaysia is exploring a regulatory environment to oversee the ethical deployment of AI, resolve emerging data rights, enforce evolving standards and serve as a trusted custodian of public interest. 'It requires tools such as regulatory sandboxes, algorithmic audits, model registries, and risk-calibrated compliance pathways that reflect the diversity and complexity of AI applications.' Gobind said the government is reviewing global models. 'Around the world, nations are embedding trust into the core architecture of their digital economies.' The European Union, for example, has introduced data portability rights under the General Data Protection Regulation and is pushing for algorithmic transparency through the AI Act. 'China, meanwhile, is developing a sovereign data governance model via its Personal Information Protection Law and national data exchanges, blending centralised control with structured innovation,' he pointed out. Furthermore, Gobind said AI governance must also be addressed regionally. 'The question is how we shape our national policy and then escalate it to the Asean level to identify ways to work together.' As Asean chair this year, Malaysia aims to spearhead regional cooperation on AI governance and trust. 'We will host an Asean AI Summit in August, where we intend to raise these issues and explore how we can jointly develop a framework to support an AI safety ecosystem across the region,' he said. Malaysia calls for stronger Asean collaboration to establish common principles and interoperable frameworks for trusted AI and ethical data governance. 'In a region as dynamic and diverse as ours, alignment is not just strategic – it is essential,' he said. Gobind said Malaysia is well-positioned to serve as a testbed for innovation, a regional convener, and a trusted partner in co-developing governance models that shape Southeast Asia's digital future. Since his appointment, the Ministry of Digital has gazetted the Cyber Security Act 2024 in August 2024 to strengthen Malaysia's cyber defences. It also gazetted the Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2024 in October 2024 to strengthen data protection and align with international standards. In December 2024, the Data Sharing Act 2024 was passed to enable data exchange among public sector agencies.
New Straits Times
05-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia can lead regional AI direction
Before a paycheck even lands, suggestions flood in from online — trending gadgets from TikTok, timed discounts on Shopee, dessert ads aligned with late-night cravings. These aren't coincidences. Artificial intelligence (AI) is quietly influencing choices and drawing attention to products in real time. This is no longer about the future. AI has settled into daily life. It's part of how content is consumed, services are used and purchases are made. Digital experiences are now crafted, not stumbled upon. Efforts such as the National AI Roadmap and the National AI Office position Malaysia as a leader in digital transformation. But as algorithms become more embedded, deeper issues emerge. Convenience comes at a cost. Every interaction is tracked, yet the logic behind decisions often remains hidden. Without visibility, trust starts to thin. AI doesn't just echo existing behaviour — it guides it. When systems rely mostly on input from urban, younger users, the result can be narrow and unrepresentative. Older populations, rural residents, and minority communities are often left out of the data loop. That absence creates algorithmic blind spots, reinforcing divides under the guise of personalisation. Technical success alone isn't enough. If AI is to shape Malaysian life, it must do so with integrity. The Madani framework — founded on values like compassion, respect, innovation, sustainability, prosperity and trust — offers more than policy. It sets a direction. True respect means guarding against exploitative data use. Real compassion means ensuring that digital tools don't only serve the fluent or connected. And trust? That grows when systems are transparent and accountable, not hidden behind lines of code. AI is already choosing what's seen, offered and ignored. The question is no longer whether it works but whether it works fairly and for whom. Government action can help. Independent algorithm audits and transparency reports should be encouraged. People deserve to understand how their data is used and why certain content or products are prioritised. A few lines of code can influence public opinion, spending habits, or even social attitudes. Globally, algorithm-driven platforms have raised concerns around misinformation, surveillance and polarisation. In a diverse nation like Malaysia, responsible AI governance is not optional — it is essential. Language inclusivity is another concern. When platforms neglect Bahasa Malaysia and use Manglish or regional dialects, large segments of the population may be excluded. Inclusivity must be intentional, not assumed. There are encouraging signs. One local beauty brand recently used an AI chatbot to resolve a customer complaint — offering a prompt, personalised apology and a voucher. The interaction felt efficient and sincere, showing that responsible AI can enhance human connection. Yet, many small and medium enterprises remain at early stages of adoption. While interest in AI is growing, implementation remains limited. Many businesses, especially in rural areas, need clearer guidance and support. This is where public-private partnerships can make a difference. Agencies working with tech platforms can lead AI awareness campaigns, especially in rural schools and community centres. Digital literacy is the first step toward digital fairness. Such efforts could be supported by a national AI ethics code for marketing — providing clear principles around fairness, inclusion and accountability. Policymakers would do well to bring this to the forefront of digital governance discussions. Looking ahead, Malaysia has a chance to lead. As Asean chair in 2025, we are in a unique position to shape the region's direction on responsible technology. The Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement may serve as a platform to align data governance and strengthen digital cooperation. AI is here to stay — but how it is used remains a choice. A trustworthy digital future depends not just on clever code, but on shared values, clear guardrails and inclusive dialogue. This means engaging all stakeholders — industry, policymakers, civil society and the public. Through openness and collaboration, AI can serve the public good rather than narrow interests. Because in this algorithm-driven age, those who build with care won't just capture attention — they'll earn lasting trust.
