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April-May , 2025 | @ green
DATA-DRIVEN GOVERNANCE
International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia and Microsoft, it outlines recommendations for building an AI governance framework within Malaysia’s socio-economic context.
Recognising AI’s budding role in global policymaking, Malaysia has taken a proactive stance to equip its leaders for an AI-driven future. As part of this effort, the AI for Policymakers initiative was introduced through a two-day showcase held in Parliament from Feb 24-25, 2025.
The recent enactment of the Data Sharing Act 2025 is critical to this transition towards AI-driven governance. This legislation introduces a structured system for secure data sharing between government bodies, including a defined request-and-receive data process.
The initiative is a joint effort by the Parliament of Malaysia, NAIO, UNITAR International University’s Centre of Leadership , Governance and Democracy , and Microsoft.
“This new Act is set to enhance public service delivery, allowing government departments to access shared data in real-time. This will result in faster decision-making and better coordination in public services,” Gobind remarked.
During the showcase, Members of Parliament (MPs) experienced firsthand how AI can support their daily work and gained insights into the AI economy and the importance of widespread AI fluency. A focused training session was held for MPs following the showcase.
� GAME-CHANGER : The inauguration of NAIO Lab paves the way for next-gen AI development and collaboration .
lives of everyday Malaysians. By leveraging AI, we can improve productivity, enhance service delivery, and create new opportunities for growth.”
In line with the Malaysia Higher Education Plan 2025- 2035, these measures focus on campus digitalisation, nurturing top national talent, and driving AI technology. Additionally, NAIO is partnering with TalentCorp to support further AI-related skills training and talent development for the workforce. This collaboration is a key component of the Ministry’s broader effort to develop a comprehensive National Digital Talent Framework.
The newly established National Data Sharing Committee will oversee the Act. The Committee will ensure compliance with all data requests submitted by ministries and federal agencies.
Its first project, ‘Rakan Tani’, aims to help local farmers increase their productivity and income. Rakan Tani underwent a pilot phase, which targeted rice farmers in Terengganu. The pilot was designed to test the effectiveness of AI-driven services , such as e-marketplaces, farming input recommendations , and credit scoring.
Furthermore, Malaysia’s broader digital talent strategy also encompasses the AI for Malaysia’s Future programme by NAIO and Microsoft, which aims to upskill 800,000 Malaysians by the end of 2025. AI at Work 2.0, a collaboration between the Ministry of Digital and Google Cloud, focused on training 445,000 civil servants in generative AI to improve public service, also forms part of this effort.
The Act, along with the establishment of NAIO, is anticipated to expedite the MADANI Government’s objective of positioning Malaysia as an AI-driven nation. Gobind believes this legislative framework could lead to a more interconnected and data-driven government, safeguarding welfare protection and promoting economic growth for Malaysians.
The framework follows a lifelong learning trajectory, beginning with primary school education and progressing to upskilling and reskilling for the workforce. “ With full cooperation from all ministries, educational institutions, industries, and communities, this framework is expected to be fully completed by Jun 2025,” told Gobind.
“ While agriculture is our starting point, the NAIO Lab will soon expand to healthcare and transportation. These are areas where AI can make a real difference in improving quality of life and driving digital economic growth,” said Gobind.
The white paper ‘The Future of Malaysia’s AI Governance’ was also spotlighted at the showcase . Published by MyDIGITAL Corporation in collaboration with Institute of Strategic and
Moving forward, NAIO will continue to guide Malaysia towards leveraging AI to boost productivity, enrich lives, and support sustainable and inclusive national growth. - @green
CULTIVATING AI TALENT
Over the next three to five years, NAIO is projected to create over 450 high-skilled AI jobs across various sectors, highlighting the vital need for AI talent. To address this demand, the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) is actively working to fast-track digital initiatives aimed at attracting global expertise.
At the same time, there is also a strong focus on nurturing domestic AI talent. Through NAIO, the Ministry of Digital is seeking collaborative opportunities with the Ministry of Higher Education to support AI-related initiatives in universities .