Budget 2024: RM20mil allocated to establish country’s first AI faculty at University Technology Malaysia

The allocation is intended to boost the exploration of interdisciplinary AI fields. — Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash

PETALING JAYA: With the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) globally, the 2024 national budget tabling has included an RM20mil allocation to establish the country’s first artificial intelligence (AI) faculty at the University of Technology Malaysia.

In his budget presentation speech, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says Malaysia needs to be swift in responding to the global digital transformation boom.

“Innovation and digital talent need to be strengthened, particularly in the field of AI to develop more sustainable economic growth.

“To boost the exploration of interdisciplinary AI fields, I am pleased to announce the establishment of the country’s first AI faculty at the University of Technology Malaysia,” he says.

AI has become an increasingly hot topic globally following the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November last year.