KUALA LUMPUR: The AI for the People Programme, which targets 100,000 youths aged between 18 and 30, is an important step towards preparing Malaysia’s workforce for rapid changes in the employment landscape, said Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.
The Human Resources Minister said access to artificial intelligence (AI) technology should be expanded for youth to ensure they possess skills relevant to the current job market and are not left behind by global technological developments.
"The world of employment is rapidly changing. AI, automation and digitalisation are no longer matters for the future, but have become part of today’s job market.
"As such, providing 100,000 youths with access to AI technology is an important investment to equip Malaysian talent with relevant skills and ensure they are not left behind in the changing global job landscape,” he said in a statement on Monday (Aug 31).
Ramanan said the initiative also complemented the Human Resources Ministry’s efforts to strengthen workforce skills through programmes such as the MyMahir AI Roadshow, which provides free AI training to more than 22,000 Malaysians with an allocation of nearly RM110mil through Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp).
"They are all part of Malaysia’s economic strength and cannot be left out of the government’s attention and policies.
"This approach aligns with the ministry’s efforts to develop a more inclusive labour market, enhance workforce skills and ensure that economic and technological changes create more opportunities for the people,” he added.
On Sunday (Aug 30), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced six immediate initiatives for the people, encompassing fuel subsidies, school maintenance, AI, medical digitalisation, e-Invoicing, and micro-business financing, which will take effect on Sept 1.
Under the AI Programme for the People, youths who complete prescribed modules will receive free three-month subscriptions to AI applications, including IlmuChat, Gemini Enterprise, Wonderclip and MuleRun.
Anwar also announced that the government would restore the basic quota of the Budi95 programme from 200 litres to 300 litres per month, while over half a million eligible diesel vehicle owners would also receive up to 400 litres of Budi Diesel per month.
Ramanan said the initiatives reflected the government’s comprehensive approach to ensuring that the benefits of economic growth were felt by various segments of society, particularly workers.
He added that these included low- and middle-income workers, gig workers, the self-employed, small traders and hawkers, women who generate income from home, as well as youths.
"As the Human Resources Minister, the most important thing for me is how the country’s economic strength can be felt by workers in their daily lives, whether through reduced cost-of-living pressures, skills enhancement, income-generating opportunities or support for the self-employed,” he said.
He said inclusive development rooted in the spirit of independence means that the country’s progress leaves no one behind and that the fruits of economic growth can be returned to the people.
"I am confident that under the leadership of the Prime Minister and with the cooperation of the entire government machinery, we can build a more productive, highly skilled and prosperous Malaysia, with every worker given the opportunity to benefit from the country’s progress,” he added. – Bernama
