No plans to regulate AI yet

To address the potential disruptions posed by AI, the ministry has developed a number of policies and initiatives, including upskilling and reskilling programmes to help workers succeed in the age of AI. — Getty Images/TNS

FROM writing poems to being news anchors, artificial intelligence (AI) is making its mark in the world, and also in Malaysia.

In a study by technology firm IBM Malaysia, more companies in the country are exploring and integrating AI into their business operations.

Nearly a third of companies in the survey have already integrated generative AI – a type of AI system that generates text, images, and other content based on user-given prompts.

An example of generative AI is the now popular ChatGPT, which can engage in human-like conversation and create material such as poetry, formal letters, and social media captions to name just a few.

However, with such advances come concerns, the most popular being the worry that AI can replace humans in certain jobs. Another big concern are ethical and privacy issues.

So, should AI be regulated?

The Human Resources Ministry says a decision to introduce guidelines or precautions is a complex one that must be made on a case-by-case basis.

“There is no easy answer, and the best approach may vary depending on the specific circumstances.

“Overall, the government believes that the benefits of using AI outweigh the risks,” the ministry tells Sunday Star.

For now, the government does not have any specific plans to come up with guidelines on the ethical usage of AI at work.

“But employers are encouraged to develop their own policies and procedures for the ethical use of AI,” the ministry says, in view of the growing use of AI in the country.

The technology can boost productivity as AI can analyse huge amounts of data to enhance decision-making.

“However, this will also lead to more scrutiny of transparency and privacy as such technologies rely on extensive databases on the Internet to function efficiently.

“This will raise concerns about whether data is being accessed ethically,” the ministry points out.

An example of this is an AI-powered chatbot, or virtual assistant, which deals with customers – it could be misused to collect personal information too.

“Bosses should consider the specific AI tools that are being used in the workplace and the potential impact of AI on workers.

“By developing clear and ethical guidelines for the use of AI, employers can help to ensure that AI is used in a responsible and beneficial way.

“This can help to protect employees, customers, and the public from harm,” the ministry says.

The ministry believes that AI can be used to improve the quality of government services.

“For example, AI can be used to analyse data and identify patterns that can help government agencies to better understand the needs of citizens.

“This information can then be used to improve the design and delivery of services.

“The government is committed to using AI in a responsible way that benefits all Malaysians,” it adds.

Will jobs be replaced by AI?

The answer to whether our jobs will be replaced by such technology is a yes and no.

“Of course, not all jobs are at risk of being automated by AI,” the ministry says.

“Some jobs, such as those that require creativity, critical thinking, and social interaction, are less likely to be automated.”

This is due to the fact that AI performs its tasks by using databases built by human beings and is limited by them, lacking the ability to be creative.

However, the ministry believes that AI is still likely to have a significant impact on the Malaysian workforce in the coming years.

“According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), 25% of the global workforce will be potentially disrupted due to automation and AI,” it says.

Examples of potential jobs that AI may replace are those involving manu-facturing, transportation, and customer and retail services, which are all seen as labour-intensive or highly automatable.

“However, the positive impact of this change is that high-skilled workers will be able to focus on more complex and creative work that requires human skills that are irreplaceable.

“This will result in increased productivity in the workplace and also encourage value-added business activities among employees.”

For example, AI can be used to automate tasks such as processing paperwork, answering customer inquiries, and detecting fraud.

“This can free up employees to focus on more complex and strategic work,” the ministry explains.

While it has many strengths, the ministry acknowledges that AI also poses potential risks, such as biased or discriminatory decisions and behaviour.

AI bias can happen when it makes skewed or inaccurate predictions because of biased input or incomplete data.

A notable example is that of the AI algorithm used in courts in the United States to predict the likelihood of an accused becoming a repeat offender.

“AI systems can also be hacked or used for malicious purposes.

“The government is aware of these risks and is working to develop safeguards to mitigate them,” the ministry says.

Creating new careers

Although the advent of AI may disrupt certain professions, it will also create new ones. In the next five years, the ministry is projecting a spike in demand for high-skilled workers, especially workers who have digital skills in the areas of AI, big data, and digitalisation.

“This is because AI operates based on databases and algorithms provided by humans.

“Workers with such skills will be in demand due to their ability to co-exist with technologies and improve them even further,” the Human Resources Ministry says.

To address the potential disruptions posed by AI, the ministry has developed a number of policies and initiatives, including upskilling and reskilling programmes to help workers succeed in the age of AI.

“These programmes include training in AI technology, as well as training in new skills that are complementary to AI, such as data analysis and problem-solving.

“We are also working to create new jobs in the AI sector. These jobs include software developers, data scientists, and AI engineers.

“Such initiatives will help to ensure that Malaysia benefits from the opportunities presented by AI, while mitigating the risks,” the ministry states.

In the WEF’s Future of Jobs 2023 report, AI is expected to be adopted by nearly 75% of surveyed companies.

Most believe the development is positive, with 50% of organisations expecting it to create job growth and 25% expecting it to create job losses.