KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must prepare its workforce for the artificial intelligence (AI) era through stronger education, skills training and talent development to ensure the country fully benefits from rapid technological change, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said technology, finance and innovation should create quality jobs, strengthen local capabilities and expand opportunities for businesses, while the financial sector had a vital role in improving access to credit and supporting inclusive economic growth.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony for Ant International’s Global Operations Centre here, Anwar said AI is reshaping not only the way businesses operate but also how commerce, lending and financial markets function.
“We are standing on the cusp of a new digital financial renaissance. Artificial intelligence is creating new ways of building trust, assessing risk and expanding access to financial services,” he said at the ceremony yesterday.
He said the AI era would require Malaysia to equip its workforce with the right skills to meet future industry demands while ensuring technological progress translated into tangible benefits for the people.
“As we welcome Ant International’s decision to establish its Global Operations Centre in Kuala Lumpur, let us be clear about the purpose that must guide this endeavour.
“Technology, finance and innovation cannot be ends in themselves.
“They must add true value to the economy by generating quality jobs, strengthening local capabilities, expanding opportunities for businesses and widening affordable access to services for those who have traditionally been left behind,” he said.
Anwar said technological advancement must improve productivity, strengthen economic resilience and raise the quality of life, adding that innovation should ensure the benefits of growth were shared widely instead of enriching only the few.
“This is not merely about corporate enrichment, but about people-centric progress,” he added.
He said no industry had a greater impact on people’s daily lives than finance, as financial services could help families facing unexpected expenses while enabling small traders to expand into global markets.
“Financial services could inject the credit needed for a family confronting medical bills or scale traders to reach customers across the world as readily as those across the street.”
The Prime Minister said AI, including large language models, could remove barriers, improve communication and create new opportunities for trade and innovation if deployed responsibly.
Anwar said the government was finalising the AI Governance Bill to establish a regulatory framework for the human-machine future.
The legislation will complement existing laws, including the Cybersecurity Act and data protection regulations.
