SHAH ALAM: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on higher education institutions (IPT) to place greater emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) in their programmes and to strengthen collaboration across sectors to meet the demands of the future.
“Public and private universities must work together. Research funding will not be limited to public institutions alone. We will support any institution – public or private – that demonstrates strong capabilities,” he said during the Temu Anwar programme with private IPT on Monday (May 5).
Anwar stressed that Malaysia must ensure the development and application of AI is anchored in national values, culture and identity, and not be driven solely by technological advancement.
“We’ve taken steps with our team. I’ve observed how universities are progressing in AI and machine learning,” he said.
“AI is critical, just like the industrial era, the invention of machines, and later, the computer. This marks another significant leap forward,” he added.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the country’s urgent need for skilled professionals in the field, noting that Malaysia is currently facing a shortage of at least 10,000 experts in data science and AI-related areas.
“We must be bold in our thinking. This is not just about AI replacing human intelligence. It’s about elevating our intellect and rooting it in something that is uniquely ours,” he said.
As part of efforts to strengthen the AI ecosystem, Anwar announced during the tabling of Budget 2025, an allocation of RM50mil to expand AI-related education across the country.
To date, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia has established the country’s first Faculty of Artificial Intelligence, a move Anwar said reflects Malaysia’s education sector is heading in the right direction.
