SERDANG: There is no need to fear new technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), as it will not dehumanise users if they keep to their values, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"The masses must master the basics of AI in the here and now and rid the fears of embracing new technology so as not to be left behind by the rest of the world.
"This will begin with the Prime Minister himself," said Anwar while officiating the "AI for Rakyat" programme at Universiti Putra Malaysia here on Tuesday (Jan 16).
Also present at the event were Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and Intel vice-president (manufacturing, supply chain and operations) and Intel Malaysia managing director AK Chong.
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"AI for Rakyat" is a cooperation between the Economy Ministry and Intel in an effort to introduce AI and enable the masses to master the basic AI skills in a four-hour module.
With such a programme, the government has projected that at least one million Malaysians would be able to master AI skills in three years.
Han Chiang High School's student Chong Yao Ong presenting his Smart Home A-eye Bin project to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the launching Artificial Inteligence (AI) Untuk Rakyat at University Putra Malaysia in Serdang. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
Anwar added that such a programme by the government for the masses is important to address the digital divide and elitism among the people and ensure no one is left behind.
"There is this fear that synthetic humans will take over human beings and our values. If those who teach digital subjects such as professors impart values in the teaching of AI skills, then the values will remain.
"The firewall (against loss of values) should start in our homes and be in our education system. It is up to us to keep our values.
"The worry of digital divide and loss of humanity should not be there if we reach for the sky but keep our feet on the ground," he said.
The Prime Minister also called on the various ministries and agencies to ensure that students at all schools and tertiary institutions complete the "AI for Rakyat" four-hour module within a month.
"Introducing new technology is like reaching for the sky but it is not difficult for the young.
"From the outset, we have started digital transformation. If this is not embraced and accepted now, we will be left behind if we are too late, even by three months.
"We do not have the time. All vice-chancellors of public universities must ensure that their tertiary students complete the four-hour module – no matter what their faculty is.
"All civil servants and ministers too must complete the four hours and it will begin with me," said Anwar.
He said he expects the relevant agencies and ministries to report in a month's time how many Malaysians are actually able to master AI skills.
