KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 (Bernama) — Malaysia must accelerate efforts to equip its workforce with the skills and expertise needed to thrive in the artificial intelligence (AI) era.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said rapid technological advancements were reshaping industries and creating new opportunities, making it imperative for the country’s education and training ecosystem to adapt.

“AI will shape not only how businesses run, but how commerce itself is conducted, how credit is assessed, how risk is managed and how markets connect across borders,” he said in his keynote address at the inauguration of Ant International’s Global Operations Centre here today.

Anwar said the government was also finalising the AI Governance Bill to establish a regulatory framework for the human-machine future, complementing existing laws, including the Cybersecurity Act and data protection regulations.

He said digital trust remained the foundation of nation-building in the digital era, which had been prioritised under the 13th Malaysia Plan and the final phases of the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint.

On a similar note, Anwar noted that Malaysia must move swiftly to prepare its young people for emerging industries by strengthening talent development and introducing new disciplines in education and training.

He said the government was intensifying efforts to ensure the country’s education system kept pace with rapid technological changes and the evolving demands of the global economy.

“Both the National Digital Council and National Education Council have recently focused on equipping Malaysians with the right skills for the future.

“We must ensure that our children and young people receive the best possible training and are prepared to venture into new disciplines and opportunities emerging globally,” he said.

The Prime Minister stressed that Malaysia must adapt quickly to the pace of technological change to avoid falling behind in an increasingly competitive digital landscape.

He also expressed appreciation to Ant International for its confidence in Malaysia and for supporting the government’s efforts to nurture local talent and expand opportunities in the digital economy.

— BERNAMA