MALAYSIA is preparing to launch a comprehensive National Artificial Intelligence Action Plan for 2026–2030 in a bid to establish itself as a regional AI hub and improve its position in global AI rankings.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo told the Dewan Rakyat today that the National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO) is currently finalising the strategic roadmap, which will align policy priorities across governance, technology transfer, talent development, and economic integration.
"Malaysia is currently ranked 26th out of 36 countries in the Stanford HAI AI Index 2023 and 24th out of 193 countries in the Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index 2024," he said. "The forthcoming action plan will include clear targets to move the country up these rankings."
Responding to a question from Sivakumar Varatharaju Naidu (PH–Batu Gajah), Gobind outlined several major government-led programmes already in motion to prepare Malaysians for the AI-driven future.
“One such initiative is the ‘AI for My Future’ programme in collaboration with Microsoft, which aims to reach nearly 800,000 Malaysians through interactive modules and guided training,” he said.
He also highlighted efforts by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) to embed digital skills across education through initiatives such as MyDigital Maker and Cikgu Juara Digital, which introduce students and teachers to emerging technologies like robotics and data analytics.
In the public sector, the government has rolled out the AI\@Work programme with Google, aimed at equipping 445,000 civil servants with tools such as Gemini and Notebook LLM to boost the efficiency of public service delivery.
Gobind added that legal and regulatory reforms are also being considered. “The government is examining the existing legal framework and intends to introduce dedicated AI legislation to strike a balance between good governance and our ambition to be a regional AI leader,” he said.
The National AI Action Plan 2026–2030 is expected to serve as a foundational document for accelerating AI adoption across Malaysia’s economy, while reinforcing safeguards for ethical, responsible, and inclusive development. - July 21, 2025
