Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo says a whole-of-nation approach is key to Malaysia’s AI Nation goal.
CYBERJAYA: Malaysia’s aspiration to become an AI Nation by 2030 requires a shift from a government-centric approach to a whole-of-nation approach involving industry, academia, the public and related sectors, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo.
He said this approach forms the foundation for AI Malaysia, a platform designed to bring together the expertise, resources and stakeholders needed to holistically develop the country’s AI ecosystem.
“(AI Malaysia) will be the place where we gather the expertise and everything else needed to realise the AI Nation vision. Whole-of-nation means that we need to have a common space where all relevant sectors can come together and discuss the actual challenges faced by every sector,” he told reporters after the launch of AI Malaysia here today.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today officially announced the establishment of AI Malaysia Bhd, a national entity under the Ministry of Digital.
It represents the enhancement and formal institutionalisation of the National AI Office (NAIO), which was established on Dec 12, 2024, to drive the country’s future technology transformation agenda.
Gobind said AI Malaysia was set up following Anwar’s announcement of making Malaysia an AI Nation by 2030 in Parliament last year, during the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan.
He said the establishment of AI Malaysia is also the product of a two-year engagement process led by NAIO, involving various sectors to assess the country’s challenges and requirements in the face of rapid AI development.
Gobind said AI Malaysia will help chart the country’s AI direction, develop relevant policies and ensure that existing strategies are implemented effectively.
“So what we see today is just the beginning. Previously, we often discussed AI, and those discussions were very important. But I think there is a need for an institution with the expertise to look at our direction,” he said.
Gobind said AI Malaysia will also support the implementation of two key national documents: the Malaysia Digital Economy Master Plan 2030 (MD 2030) and the Malaysia AI Plan 2026-2030.
“The third phase is now known as MD 2030, moving towards 2030. What we want to do is try and ensure that the digital economy can contribute to at least 30 per cent of our GDP (gross domestic product) moving towards 2030,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said the Malaysia AI Plan 2026-2030 focuses specifically on AI Nation development through three main aspects of government, people and the economy.
