August 14, 2024
The Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) plans to ramp up efforts to promote the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across various sectors while also focusing on nurturing the talent required to manage this technology.In an interview with Free Malaysia Today, Minister Chang Lih Kang emphasized that the ministry aims to encourage broader use of AI and develop the necessary human resources to oversee it."Given that AI technology is already available, our current task is to ensure its widespread adoption across all industries," he said.
According to the minister, one of the biggest challenges is developing and implementing regulations to govern a new ecosystem, which requires building from the ground up."This is the most critical and challenging aspect. For example, now that we have AI technology, we need to incentivize its adoption.""At the same time, we also need to develop talent. We can't have users without having enough skilled professionals to manage the technology."Minister Chang also expressed hope that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) would embrace AI."SMEs make up a significant portion of the companies registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia. Collectively, they form a large enough market to support the creation of an ecosystem."AI Benefits Across SectorsMinister Chang highlighted the various benefits of AI adoption, noting that in agriculture, it can enhance farm management, while in manufacturing, it can improve the monitoring of defects in electronic devices."In education, teachers can leverage AI to make lessons more engaging."Building an AI ecosystem, he said, requires collaboration across different ministries. For example, the Ministry of Education could spark students' interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), making it easier for them to grasp AI concepts."The Ministry of Communications and Digital's role would be to increase AI adoption in both the private and public sectors, while the Ministry of Human Resources would focus on upskilling the existing workforce in AI-related areas."Guidelines for AI RegulationRegarding the Artificial Intelligence Governance and Ethics (AIGE) guidelines, Minister Chang mentioned that they are in the final stages and are expected to be launched by the end of this year.These guidelines consist of seven principles designed to ensure responsible AI use across industries, although they will not be legally binding."Currently, we have several laws governing AI usage, including the Penal Code, the 2010 Personal Data Protection Act, and the 1998 Communications and Multimedia Act.""As AI technology continues to advance, we are also preparing to introduce a new legislation in the future."
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About MOSTI
The Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) is a leading Malaysian ministry focused on research and development, combined with commercialization and innovation, that will lead to economic growth, technological advancement, environmental sustainability, and the building of a stronger community within the Malaysian landscape. Sangfor
Chang Lih Kang has been appointed as the new Cabinet Minister in the Unity Government led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He will be taking on the role of Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, a key position that will shape Malaysia's future in the realm of science and technology.
A member of the People's Justice Party, Chang Lih Kang successfully retained the Tanjung Malim parliamentary seat in the 15th General Election (GE15), a seat he also won in GE14. eCentral