Malaysia (Commonwealth Union)_ In a landmark move towards AI leadership, Malaysia has officially launched the Malaysia Artificial Intelligence Nexus 2024 (MY AI NEXUS) programme. This initiative aims to propel the nation into the forefront of AI technology, fostering collaboration and innovation across various sectors. At the heart of this programme is the establishment of the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence (FAI) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), a significant milestone in Malaysian academia. As such, within a short span of four months, the faculty was set up, boasting a curriculum crafted by local experts with international acclaim.
Also read: Sri Lanka heads towards Presidential polls
MY AI NEXUS, a joint effort between the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and UTM, aims to unite AI experts, education institutions, industry leaders, government organizations, and stakeholders. Accordingly, Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir emphasized the integration of AI across sectors like education, social systems, agriculture, food security, and the digital economy, highlighting Malaysia’s commitment to innovation and progress. Dr. Zambry stated, “We are in the fastest and most consequential wave ever. The journeys of humanity and technology are now deeply intertwined with endless creativity, meaningful conversations, and spiralling exponentials of data and computation. AI poses the greatest challenge of the 21st century, yet it also presents the most wonderful, inspiring, and hopeful opportunity for us all. We stand prepared to collaborate with any agencies to achieve our objectives in AI technology”.
Also read: Heat Horror in Northern India
Under the theme “AI untuk Rakyat” (AI for the People), the programme seeks to ensure that every Malaysian benefits from AI advancements. The recently launched “AI untuk Rakyat” online programme, led by the Economy Ministry at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), aims to enhance public understanding and awareness of AI across diverse demographics and geographical locations throughout Malaysia. MY AI NEXUS is aligned with the Malaysia AI Roadmap 2021–2025 and includes initiatives such as the AI Talent Roadmap for Malaysia (2024-2030) and the Malaysia-Artificial Intelligence Consortium (MAIC). The establishment of MAIC, led by Professor Datuk Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, Vice-Chancellor of UTM, fosters collaboration among academia, government, and industry to drive excellence, innovation, and impact in AI.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized the importance of collaboration among ministries and academic institutions to develop Malaysia’s AI ecosystem, particularly in addressing the shortage of engineers. He called for leaving behind outdated approaches and embracing innovative ideas to achieve Malaysia’s AI objectives. With Malaysia’s resolve to lead the global AI agenda, MY AI NEXUS signals a new era of advancement and collaboration, positioning Malaysia as a prominent hub for AI development and innovation. As Malaysia charts this course, all local universities will play a crucial role in knowledge sharing and driving the nation towards AI leadership.
