Steven Sim launching the workshop on Empowering Job Seekers Digital Platform Best Practices from OIC Member Countries at Hotel Royale Chulan in Kuala Lumpur on July 8. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: While artificial intelligence (AI) offers exciting opportunities for economic growth and innovation, it also poses significant risks to the labour market if not managed responsibly, says the Human Resources Minister.
Steven Sim (pic) shared a personal experience from the previous day, when he came across a seemingly genuine comment generated by AI on his Facebook post.
The comment, tailored to the original content, urged readers to click on a link, which led to a scam site.
“This is the latest evolution. It shows how AI is being misused to manipulate people in increasingly convincing ways.
“AI is an opportunity for new growth. However, while it can enhance productivity in the workplace, it also brings the potential to aid criminal activity – for instance, among scammers,” he said during a speech at the Workshop on Empowering Job Seekers: Digital Platform Best Practices from OIC Member Countries yesterday.
Meanwhile, PERKESO chairman Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal also highlighted the growing threat of job scams that exploit job seekers and undermine public trust in digital employment platforms.
“Combating such fraudulent practices requires a coordinated approach involving strong cybersecurity measures, public awareness campaigns, verification mechanisms and timely enforcement.
“Through robust cooperation and the exchange of best practices, tools and strategies, OIC Public Employment Service Network (OIC-Pesnet) member countries can more effectively combat job scams.
“This collaborative effort will secure our labour markets, protect our citizens, and maintain the integrity of our employment systems,” he added.
Sim also cited a study by the Human Resources Ministry released late last year, which found that up to 600,000 jobs in Malaysia could be affected by AI over the next three to five years.
“The same report also indicates that hundreds of thousands of new jobs will be created through the AI revolution. Some of these roles are no longer just projections – they are already being advertised,” he said.
He added that AI and digital tools must be incorporated into public employment services – not only to improve service delivery but also to raise awareness of the associated risks.
Sim said that the government had recently agreed to amend legislation to enhance the role of PERKESO as a key provider of public employment services.
A cornerstone of this effort is the MyFutureJobs portal, launched in 2020, which uses AI to facilitate efficient job matching and provides personalised recruitment services to both employers and job seekers.
On average, the portal offers between 1.5 million and two million job vacancies annually, registers around 500,000 job seekers, and achieves a placement rate of 60% to 70% each year.
Sim said MyFutureJobs is a leading example of digital employment services among Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries.
From January to May this year, MyFutureJobs recorded 111,459 registered job seekers, over 633,000 job vacancies advertised, and more than 74,000 individuals successfully placed into employment.
The two-day workshop, held in Kuala Lumpur and hosted by PERKESO, brought together public sector employment service leaders from OIC countries to explore digital innovations in addressing youth unemployment, skills mismatches, and workforce participation challenges.
Key topics included AI-driven career guidance, the evolution of job portals, and strategies to tackle online job scams.
