Malaysia is actively focusing on developing artificial intelligence (AI) talent as part of its National AI Roadmap 2021-2025. The goal is to train individuals with the necessary technical skills to drive AI innovation within the country, as reported by The Star.
The roadmap defines AI talent as those capable of strategising, developing, maintaining, and managing AI solutions. This encompasses roles like data scientists, AI developers, researchers, and engineers.
Major tech companies like Microsoft and Google have significantly invested in AI ventures like OpenAI and Anthropic, and the government plans to encourage collaboration between industry leaders and academics to train AI professionals.
Impact of AI on Jobs and Industries
However, there are challenges and ethical concerns regarding AI. There are concerns about biases in AI decision-making, data privacy, and ethical considerations.
The President of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) Tan Sri Low Kian Chuan, emphasises the need for caution, particularly due to the occasional inaccuracies and lack of mechanisms to challenge AI-generated information.
Government, industry, and education institutions are advised to prepare for the impacts of AI. Research into the effects of AI across various sectors, age groups, genders, and socioeconomic strata is suggested, according to Low.
The focus should be on developing strategies to address potential job displacement while maximizing opportunities.
Malaysia’s Minister of Science, Technology & Innovation (MOSTI), Chang Lih Kang, believes that AI will create job opportunities rather than replacing human workers. He compares the concerns around AI to historical anxieties during the industrial revolution.
AI-Powered Innovations
The AI Unplugged conference organised by ACCCIM showcased AI innovations, such as national Applied Research and Development Centre (MIMOS) Harvest-Ready Tree Detection platform, which uses computer vision to aid palm oil plantation owners in efficient tree harvesting.
MIMOS is also exploring AI applications in sentiment analysis from social media data and code generation.
Local startup Wise AI demonstrated its Virtual Human technology, aiming to create AI-powered digital avatars of individuals for tasks like influencer marketing or performing online functions. The potential benefits include task replication and enhanced customer interactions.
