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Malaysia’s Journey Towards AI Literacy

This article is based on the press release of the launch of the “AI untuk Rakyat” programme by Minister of Digital, Gobind Singh De on 5th June 2024.

By: MyDIGITAL Corporation

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, ensuring that no one is left behind is paramount. ‘AI untuk Rakyat’, translating to AI for Citizens, is a transformative self-learning online initiative designed to demystify artificial intelligence (AI) and ignite interest among the younger generation to delve deeper into this field.

Bridging the Digital Literacy Gap

Bridging the digital literacy gap, especially in the context of AI, is a critical component of digital inclusion. As Southeast Asian economies, including Malaysia, are rapidly advancing their digital transformation plans, a shared emphasis on promoting digital inclusion becomes essential.

While the development of essential technology infrastructure to increase access and connectivity is a significant step forward, enhancing understanding and digital skills is equally crucial. The Tech for Good Institute’s report, “From Tech for Growth to Tech for Good”, underscores that closing digital divides fundamentally hinges on the ability of individuals to leverage technologies in a meaningful and beneficial way.

The vision is to achieve a confident digital society where everyone has equal access to digital opportunities. In this envisioned society, digital literacy is universal, and technology is harnessed to enable all individuals to participate and benefit from both the digital economy and society.

Current national priorities, such as the ‘AI untuk Rakyat‘ programme, are building towards this vision. The programme aims to close the digital literacy gap among Malaysians by providing a basic overview of the world of AI. The goal is to pique their interest and encourage them to further build a career in this sector. The programme fosters a culture of innovation and inclusivity, targeting citizens of diverse age groups, backgrounds, and geographical locations throughout Malaysia. This initiative is a testament to the commitment to bridge the digital literacy gap and promote digital inclusion.

Building a Digital-First Nation

Launched by Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim on 16 January 2024, AI untuk Rakyat underscores the government’s unwavering dedication to equipping Malaysians with essential knowledge about AI. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Malaysian government, through the Malaysia Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution hosted by MyDIGITAL Corporation, and technology partner Intel Corporation.

With digital adoption outpacing digital literacy, there are associated risks on data protection, cybersecurity, and safety. These risks can be averted and mitigated through appropriate digital literacy training, such as the ‘AI untuk Rakyat‘ programme. This programme not only equips individuals with essential knowledge about AI but also fosters interest in science, technology, and innovation, thereby enhancing their digital skills.

Moreover, digital literacy programmes should imbue individuals with relevant and in-demand technical skills while guiding them to fully exploit digital solutions for productive and practical ends. This is particularly important in the context of AI, which is increasingly being used in various sectors, from healthcare to finance to education. By understanding and appreciating AI, individuals can better leverage this technology to improve their lives and contribute to the economy.

Enabling digital inclusion that encompasses all members of society – especially vulnerable communities including the rural, low-income or disabled peoples – is vital to maximise the potential of the digital economy. ‘AI untuk Rakyat‘, with its focus on inclusivity and accessibility, is a significant step in this direction.

This inclusive approach is crucial for building a resilient and future-ready workforce that can contribute to Malaysia’s economic growth and global competitiveness.

One of the most significant achievements of AI untuk Rakyat is the successful completion of the self-learning online programme by one million Malaysians in record time, in less than 6 months since its launch. This milestone highlights the enthusiasm and readiness of Malaysians to embrace AI and digital technologies.

The self-learning programme, designed to be accessible and user-friendly, comprises two modules: AI Aware and AI Appreciate. Digital badges are awarded to participants upon successful completion of each module, emphasising their accomplishments in comprehending and appreciating AI. The programme also boasts inclusivity and multilingual access, offering content in Bahasa Malaysia, English, Tamil, and Mandarin.

Looking Ahead: The Future of AI in Malaysia

AI literacy is a key component of a digital-first nation, and AI untuk Rakyat is a significant step in this direction. This initiative is not just about teaching AI skills, but also about embedding a culture of digital literacy within society. This is particularly relevant as Malaysia strives to be a significant player in the global digital economy.

The impact of AI untuk Rakyat extends beyond the individuals it directly reaches. It aligns with Malaysia’s broader digital transformation goals, supporting efforts to drive innovation, enhance productivity, and foster sustainable growth. The initiative equips individuals with the awareness and understanding needed to navigate the digital age, preparing them for the opportunities and challenges it presents.

Looking to the future, there are plans to expand the reach of AI untuk Rakyat and introduce advanced AI courses to cater to different skill levels. This reflects a commitment to continuously evolve and adapt to the needs of the population. As Malaysia continues its digital transformation journey, initiatives like AI untuk Rakyat will play a crucial role in shaping a future that is prosperous and equitable for all Malaysians.

 

 

About MyDIGITAL Corporation

MyDIGITAL Corporation is a Strategic Change Management Office under the Ministry of Economy, incorporated in 2021 to lead national level change management through driving the execution of the initiatives under the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint and the National 4IR Policy. It serves as the secretariat to the National Digital Economy and 4IR Council (MED4IRN), chaired by the Prime Minister, that is responsible for leadership and policy direction of the digital economy and 4IR-related policies. It also hosts the World Economic Forum’s Malaysia Centre for 4IR; the 1st in ASEAN and 19th in the world.

MyDIGITAL is an initiative that symbolises the government’s aspirations to transform Malaysia into a high-income nation that is digitally-driven and a regional leader in the digital economy. For more information about the AI untuk Rakyat programme, visit www.ai.gov.my.

 

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Mouna Aouri

Programme Fellow

Mouna Aouri is an Institute Fellow at the Tech For Good Institute. As a social entrepreneur, impact investor, and engineer, her experience spans over two decades in the MENA region, South East Asia, and Japan. She is founder of Woomentum, a Singapore-based platform dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs in APAC through skill development and access to growth capital through strategic collaborations with corporate entities, investors and government partners.

Dr Ming Tan

Founding Executive Director

Dr Ming Tan is founding Executive Director for the Tech for Good Institute, a non-profit founded to catalyse research and collaboration on social, economic and policy trends accelerated by the digital economy in Southeast Asia. She is concurrently a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Governance and Sustainability at the National University of Singapore and Advisor to the Founder of the COMO Group, a Singaporean portfolio of lifestyle companies operating in 15 countries worldwide.  Her research interests lie at the intersection of technology, business and society, including sustainability and innovation.

 

Ming was previously Managing Director of IPOS International, part of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, which supports Singapore’s future growth as a global innovation hub for intellectual property creation, commercialisation and management. Prior to joining the public sector, she was Head of Stewardship of the COMO Group and the founding Executive Director of COMO Foundation, a grantmaker focused on gender equity that has served over 47 million women and girls since 2003.

 

As a company director, she lends brand and strategic guidance to several companies within the COMO Group. Ming also serves as a Council Member of the Council for Board Diversity, on the boards of COMO Foundation and Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC), and on the Digital and Technology Advisory Panel for Esplanade–Theatres on the Bay, Singapore’s national performing arts centre.

 

In the non-profit, educational and government spheres, Ming is a director of COMO Foundation and Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC) and chairs the Asia Advisory board for Swiss hospitality business and management school EHL. She also serves on  the Council for Board Diversity and the Digital and Technology Advisory Panel for Esplanade–Theatres on the Bay, Singapore’s national performing arts centre.

 

Ming was educated in Singapore, the United States, and England. She obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Stanford University and her doctorate from Oxford.