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Forbes
2 days 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.
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
AI the great equaliser, says Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: The developmental divide in different parts of the country will be bridged with Artificial Intelligence (AI), says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 'AI will not be a tool for the few. It will be a force for all; powering better governance, sparking innovation and improving lives. 'Through our AI Nation Framework, we will ensure that AI works for every Malaysian, in every corner of the country,' the Prime Minister said. He said technological advancement would also help empower small businesses and communities across Asean. 'For Asean, this is a generational opportunity. 'With over 700 million citizens, a rapidly growing digital economy and an extraordinary diversity of cultures and languages, our region is uniquely placed to shape AI in ways that are inclusive and ethical,' he said when launching the Asean AI Summit 2025 here. He also said the vision to harness AI should not simply be to catch up with the rest of the world, but also to be a leader. This, he said, could be done by offering a model of innovation grounded in trust, rooted in equity and shaped by South-East Asian values. 'The true measure of AI's success is not in the sophistication of its technology, but in its ability to meaningfully uplift the lives of our rakyat,' he added. Anwar said the Malaysian government was committed to digital transformation. At the centre of that transformation is Malaysia's ambition to be an AI Nation. Anwar also launched Malaysia's first large language model (LLM) called 'Ilmu'. 'Ilmu' – short for Intelek Luhur Malaysia Untukmu – is a multimodal AI model that can process and generate text, voice and images. The model, fully developed by YTL AI Lab, tops all frontier models in understanding the Malay language, outperforms Llama 3.1 in real-world problem-solving and equals GPT-4o in handling complex instructions. YTL AI Labs also announced the Ilmu AI Accelerator Programme in partnership with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), which is open to Malaysian start-ups, SMEs and global solution providers. Digital Minister Gobind Singh, who was present, said Malaysia was committed towards making the national AI vision inclusive for all citizens. 'In 2024, a report by the United Nations and International Labour Organisation observed that there is an AI divide, where high-income nations benefit from AI advancements, while low- and medium-income countries lag behind. 'The ministry's strategy is to close this divide,' he said in his speech. Gobind also said the ministry was working to expand free AI literacy programmes and building homegrown innovation ecosystems. 'Affordability and access are equally critical. 'If only a select few can use and shape AI systems, then it is only that select few who will influence decisions we make. 'We want every Malaysian to have the means and skills to guide AI,' he added. Asean secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn said the inaugural Asean AI Summit demonstrated that the bloc could forge more pathways that make AI a driver of peace, prosperity and progress. 'Let us seize this opportunity to build an AI-powered Asean economy aligned for a future where technology empowers all,' he said.
Sinar Daily
4 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
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
YTL launches ILMU - Malaysia's first multimodal AI, rivalling GPT-4
KUALA LUMPUR: YTL Power International Bhd has unveiled ILMU, Malaysia's first homegrown large language model (LLM) designed to rival the world's most advanced AI systems while embedding the country's language, culture, and values at its core. Developed by YTL AI Labs in partnership with Universiti Malaya, ILMU is fully built, owned, and operated in Malaysia. The multimodal model can understand and respond through text, voice, and vision, while keeping all data within local borders to safeguard AI sovereignty. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim officiated the launch at the Asean AI Malaysia Summit 2025, joined by Minister of Digital Gobind Singh Deo and YTL Power managing director Datuk Seri Yeoh Seok Hong. Gobind hailed ILMU as a "groundbreaking Malaysian innovation" that embodies the nation's vision for a tech-driven, inclusive and culturally relevant future. "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 toward empowering our people, our businesses, and our nation in the digital era," he said. Benchmark tests position ILMU as the world's best AI in Bahasa Melayu, surpassing GPT-4, DeepSeek V3 and GPT-5 in Malay MMLU benchmarks, including mastery of dialects like Kelantanese. Across global metrics, it matches frontier models such as GPT-4o and Llama 3.1. Yeoh said ILMU reflects YTL's commitment to innovation rooted in Malaysia's cultural and intellectual heritage. "As we introduce this advanced AI model, we aim to empower every Malaysian with accessible, reliable and culturally relevant knowledge. ILMU is not just a technological leap but a national capability that can power smarter systems, drive productivity and create progress that includes everyone – government, businesses and, most importantly, the rakyat," he said. Beyond the model, YTL has invested in the full AI stack – from local data centres to AI cloud infrastructure in collaboration with Nvidia – and built an ecosystem of more than 10 partners to accelerate adoption. ILMU's guiding pillars – Intelek (intelligence), Luhur (integrity), Malaysia (local identity) and Untukmu (for you) – underscore its mission to deliver ethical, culturally aware AI for national benefit. To drive uptake, YTL AI Labs and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation will roll out the ILMU AI Accelerator Programme, offering Malaysian startups, SMEs and global developers up to RM5 million in free API credits, Malaysia Digital status and facilitation of talent passes and work permits. Early industry partners span automotive, finance, media, healthcare, education and telecoms, including Aco Tech, Ryt Bank, Astro, Media Prima, Yes, Carsome, Swipey, Vision Machina, Vistel, TeeniAI, TrustAI and Mesolitica, demonstrating confidence in ILMU's capabilities and relevance across diverse sectors. For consumers, ILMUchat (AI Chatbot) will be available for early access on Malaysia Day, 16 September 2025.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Gobind: Malaysian-built ILMU AI no threat to jobs
KUALA LUMPUR: The launch of Malaysia's first locally trained large language model (LLM), ILMU, will not threaten jobs as the technology itself is not the main disruptor, says Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. He said that an LLM alone would not displace workers. "It's an LLM. Your question is more on AI in general. Of course, AI will have an impact on jobs. "That is something we have said from the start. But it will also create new jobs," he said after the launch of the model, developed by YTL. He was responding to reporters after the launch of Malaysia's sovereign AI platform, ILMU — short for Intelek Luhur Malaysia Untukmu (Excellent Malaysian Intelligence for You). The minister said the government was already taking steps to mitigate AI's impact on employment. "These jobs that are going to be impacted, we are already in the process of looking at the data. "And we want to make sure that in those key areas, or for those key jobs that are going to be affected, we are able to upskill and reskill the workers. "So when that impact occurs, the workers affected are already transitioned… they are ready to continue working based on the reskilling and upskilling they have received," he said. He described ILMU as a "Malaysian LLM" trained in multiple languages used in the country, incorporating local cultural and linguistic nuances. "ILMU is an LLM trained in all aspects of Malay. It knows the language… its training is based on Malaysia's conditions. "So apart from language, it is also trained in Malaysian ways," he said, adding that YTL AI Labs, ILMU's developer, would issue a detailed statement on its features. The model was launched as part of efforts to build AI systems tailored to Malaysia's needs. Gobind Singh earlier delivered the opening address at the Asean AI Malaysia Summit 2025's opening ceremony. The launch of ILMU marked the start of an inaugural gathering to chart the direction of AI in Malaysia, particularly in governance. The two-day summit at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) is organised by the Digital Ministry. The opening ceremony also saw Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Bakar, Asean secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn, and Asean delegates, alongside global experts and industry players, in attendance. Malaysia's sovereign AI platform, ILMU, is a homegrown LLM developed by YTL AI Labs. Built to understand and process text, voice, and images, it is designed with a strong emphasis on local context, ethics, and safety. The first iteration, ILMU 0.1, was unveiled in December 2024 and outperformed leading global LLMs in Malay-language benchmarks, even passing Malaysia's PT3 and SPM national exams with top grades.
