Learn digital technology for future job prospects, says Fahmi

KUALA LUMPUR: Learning digital technology skills will be key for future job prospects as Malaysia transitions to a digital-based economy, says Fahmi Fadzil (pic).

The Communications and Digital Minister said a recent World Economic Forum (WEF) report had noted that over 80% of new jobs would require some form of digital technology skills over the coming years.

“The number of digital technology-based careers is also expected to triple over the same period.

“Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology or generative AI has the potential to unlock Malaysia’s productive capacity economy which is worth up to US$113.4bil (RM536.1bil) based on a report by the Malaysia Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution.

“The report also stated that learning how to harness and use AI technology would produce a large number of high-income jobs for the country,” he said during the closing of the #MyDigitalMaker Fair 2023 yesterday.

His speech was read by deputy ministry secretary-general MA Sivanesan Marimuthu.

Digital technology-based businesses, added Fahmi, contributed over half towards the current global economy, with at least 70% of global economic growth over the next decade to be based on such businesses.

Fahmi said initiatives like the #MyDigitalMaker Fair 2023 served as one of the many main drivers of the government’s efforts to help youth adapt to this coming digitalisation of the economy and job market.

“They are vital in giving students the opportunity to approach various programmes based on digital technology such as coding, drone technology, artificial intelligence, game development and so on.

“Through this, we enable them to not only become skilled digital workers but also potential digital entrepreneurs who can develop new digital technologies that contribute to our digital economy export in the future.

“This holistic and sustainable approach has the potential to develop the Malaysian society from technology users to creators and then, a potential leader in the global digital market,” he said.

Launched in 2016, #MyDigitalMaker Fair is a joint public-private-academia initiative under the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), which is aimed at transforming Malaysian youth from digital users to creators in the digital economy by nurturing their interest in technology from a young age.