INTRODUCING artificial intelligence (AI) at an early stage in education is essential to developing a skilled workforce for the future, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng.
The Tanjung Piai MP said 10,000 primary school pupils in his constituency now had access to an AI e-book system designed to support their studies.
He claimed that the initiative marked the first time AI e-books have been introduced in Malaysian primary schools, covering SK, SJK (C) and SJK (T) institutions.
“We selected 52 schools whereby 10,000 pupils from Year One to Six will receive individual IDs granting them access to an online library containing 1,500 AI e-books,” he told StarMetro at the launch of the AI e-book programme at SJK (C) Bin Chong in Kukup, Pontian.
“Each e-book features an AI guide that can read the book aloud, simplify the story for easier understanding and translate it into Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin and Tamil.
“Pupils can also interact with the AI to choose books they wish to read.”
Wee said his office collaborated with a private company to provide the e-book service for three years until 2027.
“We secured RM500,000 in funding to cover the cost of the AI e-book programme.
“What’s exciting is that parents and teachers can also access e-books to monitor how many their children or students have read.
“Parents can play an active role in encouraging their children to read or listen to these e-books, especially during school holidays.”
Wee said, “Tanjung Piai is part of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) development, so if we want to prepare skilled workers, particularly in AI-related industries, we must expose children to these technologies now.
“In the past, parents had to buy books to encourage their children to read.
“Today, with AI e-books, parents can actively participate in the learning process and support their children’s education.”
Wee mentioned plans to sign agreements with local universities to offer AI-based skill certifications to Form 5 and Form 6 students in Tanjung Piai.
“We aim to introduce the initiative this month.”
