TOKYO: Artificial intelligence (AI) development must be guided by ethics, human values and a deep understanding of society to ensure technological progress remains inclusive and sustainable, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said AI should not be viewed merely as a specialised field, but as a cross-cutting force that influences economics, technology and virtually every area of study.
"The future lies in multidisciplinary knowledge, grounded in ethics and humanity,” he said during a special lecture titled "Humanity in a Human-Machine Civilisation” at the University of Tokyo on Tuesday (June 9).
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Anwar said Malaysia’s development agenda under the Madani framework places strong emphasis on values and human-centred progress amid rapid technological advancement.
He also said the future would belong to those who are able to combine technological excellence with a deep understanding of society and human values.
AI must ultimately serve real development needs, including improving public services, boosting productivity and supporting key sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, engineering and the civil service, he said.
AI could also help address structural challenges such as ageing populations, Anwar added, but this would require stronger national capabilities in talent development, infrastructure and data governance to ensure the responsible use of technology.
"The better ambition is the capability to decide where AI should be used, where it should be limited, and where human judgment must remain paramount,” he said.
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Anwar stressed that AI does not arrive with a fixed purpose but is shaped by human decisions through laws, institutions and moral responsibility.
While Malaysia fully embraces technological advancement, he said AI must ultimately serve people and strengthen humanity rather than diminish it, with societies preserving values such as conscience, responsibility, integrity and care.
"We must build systems that serve human beings and enrich our humanity, not debase it; institutions that remain answerable to them; and societies that remember what no machine can inherit on our behalf: conscience, responsibility, integrity and care for one another,” he added.
Responding to a question from a Malaysian student on how graduates from Japan could contribute to Malaysia’s AI agenda, Anwar said Malaysian students in Japan must play a central role in advancing the nation’s AI ambitions by 2030.
He said their role extends beyond academic achievement and carries a broader responsibility shaped by their exposure to Japanese society and culture.
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"That is why you are sent here,” he said, noting that studying in Japan offers a unique combination of academic rigour and a deep understanding of society.
During the session, Anwar lightened the mood by joking that the abbreviation "AI” could refer not only to artificial intelligence, but also to "Anwar Ibrahim”, drawing laughter from the audience.
The lecture attracted a full house, with the university’s 500-seat hall filled with students and academics.
Anwar, who is on a three-day official visit to Japan, kick-started Tuesday’s programme at the University of Tokyo, where he also received a courtesy call from university president Prof Teruo Fujii before addressing the audience.
More than 2,000 Malaysian government-sponsored students are studying in Japan. – Bernama
