Malaysia Should Adopt And Adapt AI To Secure Digital Future - Gobind

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia must move beyond debating whether to “adopt or adapt” to artificial intelligence (AI) and instead focus on doing both effectively to secure the country’s digital future, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo.

Speaking at the SIRIM International Conference on Quality and Innovation 2025 here today, he said adoption and adaptation are “two wings of the same bird”, driving innovation while safeguarding trust.

Gobind noted that AI use is growing rapidly worldwide, yet many organisations are still struggling to scale its deployment. Citing a global McKinsey survey, he said nearly nine out of 10 organisations use AI in at least one function but have yet to embed the technology across their operations.

The minister said Malaysia is already seeing the benefits of early-stage adoption, with AWS reporting that about 2.4 million local businesses, roughly 27 per cent of enterprises, have begun using AI.

“In healthcare, AI is helping doctors detect diseases earlier and improve patient outcomes. In agriculture, it guides precision farming and optimising yields. In logistics and manufacturing, predictive analytics are reducing downtime, cutting waste, and boosting productivity,” he said.

Gobind added that even within the standards and quality ecosystem, AI is automating inspection and certification, improving consistency in testing and identifying defects that may escape the human eye.

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He said the government is also seeing positive results from its public sector pilot project, which used AI tools to enhance productivity.

“Last year, the Ministry of Digital ran a pilot with 270 officers to test how AI could improve daily work. Today, that pilot has grown into a nationwide rollout reaching 445,000 officers, moving us from proof of concept to practice,” said Gobind.

However, he cautioned that Malaysia must adapt its systems, institutions and workforce to the deeper changes brought by AI.

“As AI becomes more deeply embedded in our systems and decisions, how do we ensure that what is efficient also remains ethical? How do we balance automation with human oversight, innovation with inclusion, speed with safety?” he asked.

Gobind said Malaysia is preparing for these challenges through three fronts, which are infrastructure, digital trust and talent.

He said the government is strengthening the data, connectivity and compute foundations needed to support future AI systems and homegrown innovators.

The minister highlighted ongoing efforts to reinforce digital trust, including the Cyber Security Act 2024, the Personal Data Protection Act 2010, and the development of the National AI Action Plan (2026-2030) by the National AI Office (NAIO).

“To complement this, there will be a Digital Trust and Data Security Strategy for 2026-2030. This strategy is equally important, ensuring that Malaysia’s advancements in AI are matched by strong governance and the integrity of our digital ecosystem,” he said.

NAIO is also working to align Malaysia with international AI standards, including localising key ISO standards on AI management, risk governance and lifecycle practices.

On talent readiness, Gobind said a study commissioned by TalentCorp found that 620,000 jobs across 10 critical sectors are expected to be highly affected over the next three to five years.

“To prepare for this shift, the government has established the MyMahir National AI Council for Industry, a platform that coordinates AI talent development, adoption strategies, and cross-sectoral collaboration across government, academia, and industry,” he said.

These efforts, Gobind added, are supported by global partnerships aimed at training hundreds of thousands of Malaysians in AI literacy and skills.

He concluded that Malaysia’s AI future depends on its ability to advance innovation while maintaining public trust.

“Adoption drives progress. Adaptation secures trust. Both are needed for a flourishing AI ecosystem that serves the greater good of all,” said Gobind.

-- BERNAMA