KUALA LUMPUR: As part of efforts to prepare the workforce for the artificial intelligence (AI) era, the Human Resources Ministry has introduced a large-scale programme to train almost 400,000 teachers in AI-powered teaching methods.
Its Minister, Steven Sim, said the programme involving 395,000 educators, called “AI for Educators”, will be carried out in collaboration with the Education Ministry.
He said it aims not only to equip teachers with technical AI skills but also to deepen their understanding of ethical considerations in using such technologies in the classroom.
“Our teachers are the frontliners in human capital development.
“They must be empowered with the latest knowledge and tools to prepare our people for the challenges of the AI era.
“This reflects not only the commitment of the Human Resources Ministry but also the wider commitment of the Madani government to ensure our educators lead the way,” he said in his speech at the National Training Week (NTW) 2025 Summit in Bukit Jalil here on Saturday (June 14).
Sim also revealed that this year’s NTW had surpassed all expectations, with over two million Malaysians participating in free training sessions, doubling the initial target of one million.
“This is the third year we are organising NTW, and it has grown in scale and impact.
“Last year we reached around 300,000 participants. This year, we’ve gone beyond our target even during the launch week,” he said.
According to Sim, over 71,000 free training sessions were offered across the country, with more than 40% of them focused on Industry 4.0-related skills, including digital tools, automation and emerging technologies.
He also extended an invitation to citizens from across Asean, saying that this year’s NTW was open not just to Malaysians, but also to participants from neighbouring countries, a move in line with Malaysia’s role as Asean Chair this year.
“This is our commitment to building regional human capital and strengthening cooperation in a rapidly evolving economic landscape,” he said.
