PUTRAJAYA: Agencies and departments under the Home Ministry have been urged to quickly adopt artificial intelligence (AI) technology to improve the efficiency of their service delivery systems.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said AI is an important tool that can help streamline work processes and operations, while enhancing administrative efficiency.
"Although AI was introduced several years ago, Malaysia is not too far behind in its adoption and civil servants are capable of mastering the technology.
"The technology has the capability to analyse vast amounts of information including journals, books and other publications, and can also help produce written materials or draft documents quickly.
"Generative AI has only been developing rapidly for about two to three years, so we are not too far behind," he said at the ministry’s monthly assembly on Thursday (March 5).
Saifuddin Nasution said AI had become a necessity in modern administration and the ministry had already begun efforts to integrate the technology through its "AI for KDN, KDN for AI" initiative over the past two years.
He added that civil servants must think several steps ahead in order to stay ahead, and AI could serve as a useful tool to help achieve that goal.
Saifuddin Nasution said he had instructed the ministry’s human resources and training division to prioritise early AI training for staff, including sending officers to attend courses at local universities.
"At the same time, several agencies under the ministry, including the Immigration Department, have already begun leveraging AI technology.
"This includes the use of facial recognition systems to facilitate smoother movement at the country’s entry points without the need for manual passport stamping," he said.
He added that AI could also be utilised in developing systems and preparing preliminary drafts of investigation reports or logistical analyses before the information is verified by officers.
“I would also like to see the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency use AI, especially in recording the strength and deployment of its assets.
"If this technology is fully utilised, work output will become faster, productivity will increase and the delivery system to the people will be improved," he said.
However, Saifuddin Nasution said that while he could provide guidance and outline the direction and tools needed to achieve the ministry’s goals, the drive to implement such initiatives must come from within the workforce.
