AS Malaysia steps up efforts to build its artificial intelligence capabilities, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is rolling out a national programme that could put AI tools in the hands of up to 445,000 government officers, alongside initiatives for local software developers, businesses and students.
The programme, Semarak AI Malaysia, was launched today at AWS Cloud and AI Day Kuala Lumpur, with a focus on expanding the use of AI beyond large organisations and into government departments, small businesses and educational institutions.
The public sector is a major focus, with AWS investing to make Amazon Quick, its workplace AI tool, available to up to 445,000 government officers through the National Digital Department’s (JDN) AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS) platform.
The tool is intended to help officers analyse procurement data, review policy research across agencies and identify patterns in large datasets.
Alongside this, GovTech Malaysia, under the Ministry of Digital, is introducing GovHub, powered by AWS’s Kiro software development tool, through the same platform.
The initiative will start with 500 developers in 2026, with a target of reaching 4,000 by 2028.
Kiro helps developers turn instructions into structured requirements and design plans before generating software code.
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said Malaysia needed to build its own AI development capabilities if it wanted to compete in the regional digital economy.
He said the programme built on AWS’s RM29.2 billion commitment to Malaysia, with the aim of developing a workforce and software industry capable of producing AI solutions for domestic and regional markets.
“For Malaysia to lead in the regional AI economy, we need a workforce and a software industry that can build, not just consume, AI technology,” he said.
The initiative also seeks to strengthen local software companies, particularly those developing applications for businesses.
AWS said software companies in Malaysia using its cloud platform recorded average growth of about 30% in their cloud and AI workloads between 2024 and 2025, following the launch of its Asia Pacific (Kuala Lumpur) Region in 2024.
Among them is MOCHI Technologies, which has developed an AI-based platform used by more than 1,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to manage marketing, customer relationships, human resources and business operations.
In Sarawak, AWS and the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) are working through the Sarawak SaaS Accelerator (SaSAR) to help local software companies develop AI products and connect with businesses seeking digital solutions.
More than 20 companies completed the programme’s pilot cohort, representing sectors including agriculture, automotive and healthcare.
Participants received AWS cloud credits and technical mentorship, while SDEC provided business development support.
Some have since established collaborations with government agencies, energy providers and corporate partners in Sarawak.
One project involves an AI-powered software testing solution designed to help organisations test and validate applications, including mobile applications. It is currently undergoing trials with pilot users.
AWS is also working with GD XCHANGE, the solutions arm of logistics provider GDEX, and technology distributor VSTECS to bring its AI tools to SMEs within GDEX’s business network.
The collaboration aims to reach 10,000 SMEs by 2028. Eligible businesses will receive six months of complimentary access to Amazon Quick and Kiro after undergoing an AI readiness assessment.
AWS cited a retail business using the tools to monitor competitors’ prices and forecast demand, allowing it to respond more quickly to market changes.The programme also extends to technical and vocational education, with more than 3,000 students and lecturers from polytechnics and community colleges taking part in the POLYCC Agentic AI League 2026.
AWS said the competition had earned recognition in the Malaysia Book of Records for the largest participation in an agentic AI competition.
Kiro was used as the competition’s main development tool, allowing students without previous programming experience to work on AI solutions using natural-language instructions.
Separately, AWS has adopted Sekolah Kebangsaan Datuk Keramat (1) in Kuala Lumpur under the government’s Sekolah Angkat MADANI programme.
The company will upgrade the school’s digital and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) facilities, train teachers to conduct coding and robotics lessons, and organise activities involving drone technology and digital safety.
AWS Malaysia country manager Hussein Mohd Ali said the programme was intended to encourage more Malaysians to develop their own AI applications, with the public sector taking a leading role.
“When the public sector leads in building with AI, it becomes the lighthouse for the rest of the country,” he said. - November 4, 2026
