Inovatif

Tag: artificial intelligence

  • Standard Chartered and Alibaba Group partners to propel AI development

    Standard Chartered and Alibaba Group partners to propel AI development

    Standard Chartered (“the Bank”) and Alibaba Group Holding Limited (“Alibaba” or “Alibaba Group”) have entered into a strategic partnership, utilising Alibaba Cloud’s AI technologies to accelerate the pace at which the financial services sector embraces Artificial Intelligence (AI).

    According to the Memorandum of Understanding, Standard Chartered will work with Alibaba Cloud as its strategic partner for AI technologies to enhance operational efficiency and elevate the customer experience. Leveraging Alibaba Cloud’s intelligent solutions and AI technologies, the collaboration aims to help the Bank elevate its competitive edge. This includes developing AI-powered customer service and sales intelligence to raise the bar on customer engagement, automating AI-driven risk management and compliance, and upskilling its talents through AI workshops and certifications.

    The partnership will also support Alibaba Group’s strategic development globally, with Standard Chartered providing a comprehensive range of banking services that is tailored to meet Alibaba Group’s business needs, from financial support, supply chain financing support, cross border fund management solutions, to deepening the collaboration in financial market. Both parties will also actively enhance cooperation in the areas of sustainable development and sustainable finance.

    Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered, said: “We are investing heavily in cutting-edge technologies like AI, which are transforming our own business model and reshaping the future of finance. I am excited to build on our existing relationship with Alibaba Group – a global leader in AI and other areas including e-commerce and retail – and advance our shared commitment to transformative innovation. By combining Alibaba Group’s technological prowess with our financial expertise, we look to harness the full potential of AI technologies to advance on our innovation agenda while also creating long-term value for our clients, colleagues, and communities.”

    Eddie Wu, CEO of Alibaba Group, added: “From education to healthcare and scientific research, AI has already shown its potential to drive transformational change. We are thrilled to partner with Standard Chartered, a global leader in financial services, to shape the transformation in the financial sector. Through this strategic alliance, we will combine Alibaba’s technological expertise with Standard Chartered’s deep industry knowledge to unlock new possibilities.”

  • ZTE unleashes AI-First future

    ZTE unleashes AI-First future

    ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of integrated information and communication technology solutions, unveils its latest AI-powered innovations at the “Catalyzing Intelligent Innovation” showcase in Kuala Lumpur, bringing highlights from Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 to Malaysia. The event reinforced ZTE’s commitment to helping Malaysia lead in next-generation digital infrastructure and intelligent transformation.

    At the heart of the showcase was ZTE’s vision for building ultra-efficient mobile networks, led by its cutting-edge Ultra Band Radio (UBR) technology. Designed for simplified deployment and green energy usage, UBR enables highly compact, power-efficient sites that reduce environmental impact while improving network performance. Key innovations included 5G-A solutions like 4K AR live broadcasting with ultra-low latency and high reliability, as well as real-world applications for drone logistics and smart waterways. To bridge the digital divide, ZTE introduced solar-powered and modular rural connectivity solutions like the Eco Radio and Rural Pilot, designed for sustainable and scalable deployment in remote areas.

    The event also highlighted ZTE’s advancement in All-Optical Networks, where high-speed fiber connectivity meets AI-driven intelligence. ZTE introduced its latest smart home ecosystem, including a next-generation AI Home Media Center, 4K AI Soundbar, the industry’s first AI screen-equipped FTTR (Fiber-To-The-Room), and its high-performance LinkPro Wi-Fi 7 series. These solutions offer seamless, intelligent connectivity for households and SMEs, supporting Malaysia’s broadband and digital lifestyle goals.

    Taking AI integration even further, ZTE presented the AIR DNA Future Network, a pioneering solution that re-engineers the foundational “genetics” of mobile networks. This AI-native infrastructure empowers operators to automate network operations, improve efficiency, and build more dynamic service models in a hyper-connected era. Complementing this was the debut of AiCube, ZTE’s full-stack intelligent computing solution that supports full-version DeepSeek deployment. Engineered to flexibly serve large data centers, edge computing facilities, and enterprise-grade systems, AiCube delivers high-performance AI processing across diverse scenarios—powering everything from smart cities to intelligent factories.

    ZTE is expanding its consumer-focused ‘nubia’ brand in Malaysia, introducing a strong focus on gaming through the nubia Neo 3 series. It is named Official Co-Branded Gaming Smartphone for Free Fire, bringing together its “Born to Win” and Free Fire’s “BOOYAH” spirit to provide an accessible esports-grade gaming experience for everyone. The new lineup features gaming oriented enhancement such as shoulder triggers and an expansive 4083mm² VC liquid cooling system. The nubia Neo 3 series also integrates cutting-edge AI features, including Demi, an AI gaming companion, and AI-powered tools for photography and voice interaction. The co-branding partnership between nubia Neo 3 series and Garena’s hit mobile game Free Fire. ZTE also highlighted its role in global policy leadership through GSMA forums, with potential to collaborate more closely with local regulators in shaping Malaysia’s digital future.

    Steven Ge, Managing Director of ZTE Malaysia, said during his keynote speech, “ZTE Malaysia has proudly spearheaded several landmark achievements, including setting a Malaysia Book of Records title for the fastest 5G-Advanced speed reaching 30.8 Gbps during a live test in Sarawak. Furthermore, ZTE is deeply committed to bridging Malaysia’s digital divide. Through active support of national initiatives like JENDELA, we have modernized and expanded coverage especially in rural and underserved areas.”
    The event drew participation from key Malaysian stakeholders including Axiata, CelcomDigi, Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), EdotCo, Maxis, Telekom Malaysia, U Mobile, YTL Corporation, and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). Through this showcase, ZTE extended a call for deeper collaboration with ecosystem players to co-build a smarter, more inclusive digital future.
    ZTE has filed over 93,000 global patent applications, and has approximately 48,000 patents in total, as well as a proven track record of supporting national infrastructure—having modernized over 10,000 sites and delivered more than half of the nationwide JENDELA rollout—ZTE continues to support Malaysia’s long-term digital agenda.

    The “Catalyzing Intelligent Innovation” event demonstrates ZTE’s position as a global driver of digital progress. By empowering operators, developers, and policymakers with the tools to build intelligent infrastructure, ZTE is enabling Malaysia to accelerate its position as a regional digital leader and future-ready economy.

  • Alibaba Cloud’s new whitepaper shows how AI can power sustainable business transformation

    Alibaba Cloud’s new whitepaper shows how AI can power sustainable business transformation

    A new whitepaper released by Alibaba Cloud, Driving Sustainability with AI: A Guide to Partnering with Technology Service Providers, offers a forward-looking blueprint for how organisations can harness digital infrastructure — particularly AI and cloud computing — to accelerate their sustainable journey.

    Based on insights from the Tech-Driven Sustainability Trends and Index 2024, which surveyed 1,300 business leaders across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, the report combines industry data, actionable recommendations, and real-world case studies to explore how emerging technologies can close the gap between aspiration and execution.

    The State of Sustainability: Progress, Gaps and Opportunity

    The whitepaper highlights the growing urgency for businesses to act on sustainability, with 80% of surveyed organisations setting green targets. Yet only one-third of these have committed to science-based net-zero goals. Many companies still struggle to move from commitment to impact, citing gaps in technical understanding, measurement tools and concerns about the energy footprint of digital technologies.

    Despite these barriers, a strong majority — 76% — see AI and cloud computing as essential tools to achieve sustainability outcomes. At the same time, 82% say it is critical that these technologies themselves are developed sustainably.

    From Insight to Impact: Green AI in Action

    Alibaba Cloud is helping organisations bridge this gap through platforms like Energy Expert, which uses AI to measure emissions and energy consumption in real time. The platform has already served over 3,000 organisations globally.

    One standout case is its collaboration with Covestro, a polymer material company. Working together, the two helped Chinese beverage brand Nongfu Spring trace the full lifecycle emissions of its recycled water barrels — later repurposed into gel pens – offering supply chain transparency from production to reuse.

    The whitepaper also showcases Alibaba Cloud’s commitment to low-carbon AI innovation. Its open-source Qwen series models are designed for efficiency and accessibility. Japanese AI start-up Lightblue, for example, used Qwen to build a localized high-performance Japanese-language model with lower development costs and energy use.

    Five Strategies to Drive Recommendations for Sustainable Digital Transformation

    The whitepaper identifies five strategic actions that businesses can take to align digital transformation with sustainability outcomes. First, organizations are encouraged to link their adoption of AI and cloud technologies with specific sustainability KPIs—for example, using predictive tools to optimise operations or monitor emissions across supply chains. Second, companies should partner with transparent, green technology providers that publish energy usage and emissions data, operate on renewable energy, and invest in energy-efficient infrastructure. Third, the paper highlights the importance of embedding security into sustainability strategies, noting that cybersecurity concerns remain a key barrier to wider adoption of digital sustainability tools.

    Fourth, it recommends embracing open and trustworthy AI, such as open-source models that reduce costs, improve energy efficiency, and allow for localized applications. Finally, the paper calls for stronger public-private collaboration, with 82% of surveyed executives supporting more active government involvement to accelerate the adoption of sustainable technologies through policy, incentives, and education.

    A Roadmap for Business Leaders

    More than a guide, the whitepaper is a call to action. It emphasizes that sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have but rather a competitive differentiator and a catalyst for growth.

    For companies navigating climate and digital transformation simultaneously, the message is clear: success depends on choosing the right partners, tools, and strategies to deliver measurable progress. With the right foundation, AI and cloud can power a greener, smarter, and more resilient future.

  • Alibaba Cloud strengthens AI capabilities with for international customers

    Alibaba Cloud strengthens AI capabilities with for international customers

    Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, unveils new AI models, tools and infrastructure upgrades for its international customers, underscoring its ongoing commitment to driving AI innovation worldwide.

    “We are launching a series of Platform-as-a-Service（PaaS) and AI capability updates to meet the growing demand for digital transformation from across the globe. These upgrades allow us to deliver even more secure and high-performance services that empower businesses to scale and innovate in an AI-driven world,” said Selina Yuan, President of International Business, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence.

    Alibaba Cloud announced new offerings to international customers by expanding access to its foundational models and upgrading infrastructure products. Available through the company’s availability zones in Singapore, these models include the latest from its proprietary large language model (LLM) series, Qwen, such as the large-scale Mixture of Experts (MoE) model Qwen-Max, the reasoning model QwQ-Plus, the visual reasoning model QVQ-Max and the end-to-end multimodal model Qwen2.5-Omni-7b.

    QwQ-Plus is an advanced reasoning model specialising in deep analytical thinking, tackling complex challenges like sophisticated QA tasks and expert-level math problems with precise, algorithm-driven solutions. Meanwhile, QVQ-Max is a visual reasoning model that effectively addresses complex multimodal problems with high accuracy and extended reasoning capabilities, supporting visual input and chain-of-thought output.

    To further support the AI models on the PaaS front, Alibaba Cloud’s Platform for AI (PAI) has rolled out major enhancements to support scalable, cost-effective, and user-friendly solutions for generative AI and LLMs. PAI-Elastic Algorithm Service (EAS) debuts distributed inference capabilities with a multi-node architecture to satisfy the growing demands of super-large models fueled by the rise of MoE structure and ultra-long-text processing, addressing the limitations of traditional single-node architecture. To further boost performance and reduce costs, PAI-EAS introduces the prefill-decode disaggregation function which has led to a 92% increase in concurrency and a 91% boost in tokens per second (TPS) when deployed with the Qwen2.5-72B model, greatly improving scalability and efficiency.

    PAI-Model Gallery has been upgraded to provide a comprehensive selection of nearly 300 cutting-edge open-source models, including the full range of Alibaba Cloud’s proprietary open-source models Qwen and Wan series, all accessible through a seamless, no-code deployment and management experience. It offers diverse deployment methods with underlying computing resources, along with new features like model evaluation for performance insights and model distillation, which reduces deployment costs by transferring knowledge from large to small models.

    To enhance data management efficiency in the AI era, Alibaba Cloud has integrated its native AI inference capabilities – powered by Qwen – into its flagship cloud-native relational database PolarDB. With in-database machine learning capabilities, it eliminates data shifting typically required for inference workflow, significantly reducing processing latency while boosting efficiency and data security. Engineered for text-centric workloads, the new feature is ideal for scenarios including conversational RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) agent development, text embedding generation, and semantic similarity search.

    It also integrates its data warehouse AnalyticDB into Model Studio, Alibaba Cloud’s generative AI model and application development platform, as the recommended vector database for RAG solutions. This enhancement connects organizations’ proprietary knowledge bases directly to AI models and tools available on Model Studio, streamlining development of context-aware applications.

    Alibaba Cloud also launched a new AI search function on its official website. Powered by Qwen, this AI assistant is designed to help potential enterprise clients, especially SMEs, speed up their solution discovery and gain key insights to facilitate strategic decision-making. It also offers access to cost-effective and scalable cloud solutions, along with free AI and cloud computing training resources.
    Upgraded partner incentive policies were also introduced to better support resellers and distributors by providing increased flexibility, higher commission rates, and more rewarding opportunities for mutual growth. This commitment to empowering partners is further reinforced by enhanced training and support resources, designed to strengthen their capabilities and drive success within evolving ecosystem.

    In February 2025, Alibaba Group announced an investment of US $53 billion (RMB 380 billion) over the next three years to advance its cloud computing and AI infrastructure, reinforcing its commitment to long-term technological innovation. This historic investment, which exceeds Alibaba’s total AI and cloud spending over the past decade, underscores the company’s ongoing dedication to AI-driven growth and its role as a leading global cloud provider. Alibaba Cloud now operates a global infrastructure network with 87 availability zones across 29 regions.

  • Majority of Malaysian businesses are intrigued by potential of AI in achieving sustainability goals

    Over 76% of businesses across Asia, Europe and the Middle East are intrigued by the potential of digital technologies, including AI and cloud computing in driving sustainable development, according to the latest survey report titled “Tech-Driven Sustainability Trends and Index 2024”, commissioned by Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group. However, the substantial energy consumption associated with these technologies is still reflecting a key barrier to broader adoption, as 61% of respondents still express concerns over the matter.

    The survey highlights Malaysia’s evolving stance on AI adoption and sustainability, revealing both enthusiasm and caution among businesses. Specifically

    • 76% of Malaysian businesses are actively adopting digital technologies to accelerate sustainability progress, with 77% intrigued by AI’s potential to drive sustainability innovation.
    • 62% of Malaysian businesses acknowledge the gap in understanding how digital technology can assist in achieving sustainability goals
    • 81% of businesses believe that the substantial energy consumption of digital technologies such as powering AI may outweigh its benefits
    • 75% cite security risks as a major barrier to adopting advanced digital solutions more broadly.

    Regional Variations in AI Adoption and Sustainability Efforts

    Despite this optimism, 59% of businesses acknowledge the gap in understanding how digital technology can assist in achieving sustainability goals with Asia leading at 63%, followed by Europe at 61% and the Middle East at 45%. Around two thirds 62% of executives believe their organisations are lagging in adopting cloud computing and AI to accelerate progress towards sustainability goals. This concern is particularly noted in Singapore 80%, the Philippines 77%, Japan 75% and Hong Kong SAR 75%, indicating a pressing need for organisations to accelerate their technological adoption to advance sustainability.

    Overall, 82% of businesses agree that sustainable development in technology is paramount for their companies, with markets like Singapore 93%, the Philippines 91%, and Indonesia 89% leading the charge. Companies increasingly recognise the multifaceted benefits of adopting digital technologies for sustainability including cost savings, improved operational efficiencies, and enhanced compliance with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) regulations.

    AI and machine learning are viewed as the most crucial digital technologies for advancing corporate sustainability, with businesses in the Middle East 52% placing greater emphasis on their importance compared to Europe 41%, emerging Asian markets 40% and developed Asian markets 36%.

    However, the survey reveals a notable concern: 61% of respondents fear that the high energy consumption associated with digital technologies may hinder widespread AI adoption. This concern is even higher in Singapore 85%, the Philippines 77% and Hong Kong SAR 75%. Furthermore, 71% of businesses believe that the substantial energy consumption of digital technologies such as powering AI may outweigh its benefits with the highest concerns from Singapore 86%, the Philippines 84% and Malaysia 81%.

    The report also highlights the importance of selecting technology providers that prioritise sustainability. When selecting a “green” cloud provider, approximately half of the businesses prioritise those that use renewable energy 51%, maintain energy-efficient data centers 46%, and implement carbon footprint reduction initiatives 42%.

    Malaysian Businesses Prioritise AI and Machine Learning for Sustainability but Face Adoption Challenges

    The survey reveals 88% of Malaysian businesses agree it is important to the company that technology is developed sustainably. To add to the concerns highlighted earlier, 68% believe companies are lagging in cloud computing and AI adoption to meet these goals. This hesitation is driven by barriers such as knowledge gaps 38%, cost constraints 30%, and lack of technical capabilities 31%.

    89% of business leaders acknowledge technology’s pivotal role in achieving global sustainability targets with Malaysian companies ranking AI/Machine Learning 46%, Collaboration and Communication tools 34%, and IoT 33% as the top three digital technologies critical to advancing corporate sustainability goals. When selecting technology providers, Malaysian businesses prioritise cost-effectiveness 52%, strong customer support 48%, and data privacy commitments 40% highlighting the key factors that influence their digital adoption strategies.

    Conducted with 1,300 decision-makers across 13 markets, including Malaysia, “Tech-Driven Sustainability Trends and Index 2024” aims to provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of corporate sustainability. The survey report underscores the essential role of technology in driving impactful change, while highlighting the need for businesses to adopt AI and cloud computing responsibly to address energy consumption concerns and bridge the gap in sustainability efforts.

  • Alibaba Cloud unveils AI offerings to advance Malaysia’s AI agenda

    Alibaba Cloud unveils AI offerings to advance Malaysia’s AI agenda

    Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, has unveiled its latest AI models, solutions, upgraded infrastructure offerings, and AI empowerment program at its inaugural AI Tech Day in Malaysia. These advancements aim to empower businesses and developers in Malaysia to build innovative AI applications more cost-effectively and drive a thriving generative AI ecosystem in the region.

    The event, officiated by YB Datuk Wilson Ugak Anak Kumbong, Deputy Minister of Digital, also marked Alibaba Cloud’s announcement of key collaborations with leading Malaysian enterprises including YTL Power International Bhd’s artificial intelligence (AI) innovation unit, YTL AI Labs , Malaysia’s leading fund management company, Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), and Malaysia’s digital marketing service provider HiSEVEN reinforcing Alibaba Cloud’s role as a trusted technology partner in the country’s AI ecosystem.

    In his address, the Deputy Minister commended the spirit of collaboration, stating “Malaysia is committed to leveraging AI for digital transformation and economic growth. With initiatives like Alibaba Cloud’s AI advancements and industry collaborations, we are strengthening our AI ecosystem and empowering local businesses. Together, we can build a Malaysia that is not just a participant but a leader in the global digital economy—one that is innovative, inclusive, and prosperous.”

    “At Alibaba Cloud, we are committed to driving AI innovation in Malaysia by providing cutting-edge models, scalable infrastructure, and dedicated support for customers, partners and developers. Our latest advancements will empower local talents and businesses to enhance efficiency, scale AI applications, and contribute to Malaysia’s digital future powered by AI,” said Kun Huang, General Manager of Malaysia, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence.

    Powering AI Innovation with Advanced Offerings

    Next-Generation Computing and AI Infrastructure – To support growing AI demands, Alibaba Cloud announced the global rollout of its 9th Generation Enterprise Elastic Compute Service (ECS) instances, set to be available in mid of 2025 in Malaysia. The latest generation of ECS instances has notable performance enhancements compared to its previous iteration, including a 20% increase in computing efficiency. Additionally, by accelerating networks through eRDMA (elastic Remote Direct Memory Access), its performance in supporting high-performance computing, search recommendations, and Redis databases can be further improved by up to 50%.

    Cutting-Edge AI Models and Multimodal Capabilities – Alibaba Cloud introduced the Qwen2.5 series, its latest generation of large language models (LLMs), available in parameter sizes ranging from 7 billion to 72 billion. These models are now accessible via API on its generative AI development platform, Model Studio for businesses and developers to build and deploy AI applications efficiently across various industries, from finance and retail to healthcare and education.

    Alibaba Cloud has also unveiled its latest visual-language model, Qwen2.5-VL, representing a significant enhancement over its predecessor, Qwen2-VL. This open-source, multimodal model is offered in various sizes, ranging from 3 billion, 7 billion to 72 billion parameters, and includes both base and instruction-tuned versions. The flagship model, Qwen2.5-VL-72B-Instruct, is now accessible through the Qwen Chat platform, while the entire Qwen2.5-VL series is available on Hugging Face and Alibaba’s open-source community Model Scope.

    To further support developers, Alibaba Cloud has also unveiled its proprietary AI-powered coding assistant, which will be available for developers in April 2025. The AI Programmer offers features such as code completion and optimisation, debugging assistance, code snippet search and batch unit test generation. It provides developers with an efficient and seamless coding experience, significantly enhancing productivity and creativity.

    AI Solutions for Business and Enterprise Applications – Alibaba Cloud’s AI-driven solutions are designed to help businesses improve operational efficiency, improve customer engagement, and drive digital transformation:

    • AI Doc: An intelligent document processing tool designed to help enterprises manage and utilize their knowledge more efficiently, flexibly, and cost-effectively through converting unstructured documents into structured data, streamlining workflows and reducing operational costs. It leverages Large Language Models (LLMs) to provide a range of functionalities, including document parsing, core content extraction, knowledge base Q&A, content comparison, and report generation.
    • Voice Insight: A multilingual voice recognition and analytics tool that enhances quality inspections, customer interactions, and service monitoring with AI-driven audio and video analysis.
    • Smart Studio: A next-generation content creation platform powered by AI, enabling seamless text-to-image and text-to-video applications to enhance marketing and creative outputs.
    • SmartQ: An AI-driven data analysis module of Quick BI, Alibaba Cloud’s Business Intelligence (BI) platform solution. Powered by Alibaba Cloud’s proprietary large language model Qwen, this innovative chat-based BI solution allows even non-technical users to generate insights by asking questions in plain language, greatly simplifying enterprise analytics experience.

    In addition, to further accelerate the local AI innovation and talent development in the region, the leading cloud service provider has launched its inaugural Alibaba Cloud Malaysia AI Hackathon 2025 in partnership with Malaysia’s digital solutions specialist Agmo Holdings Berhad during the event, inviting innovators, developers, and tech enthusiasts in the region to collaborate, create, and showcase their AI expertise. The program will be open for local registration from February 27 until April 30, 2025, providing local talent with an opportunity to leverage cutting-edge AI technologies and compete on a global stage.

  • ASEAN Foundation and Google.org drive AI literacy forward

    ASEAN Foundation and Google.org drive AI literacy forward

    The ASEAN Foundation, supported by Google.org, successfully hosted the 1st Regional Policy Convening of AI Ready ASEAN at ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, Indonesia, on 12 February 2025. This event marked a significant milestone in the implementation of the AI Ready ASEAN initiative, a programme that aligns with Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to enhance artificial intelligence (AI) literacy and innovation.

    At the convention, policymakers, AI practitioners, and local implementing partners (LIPs) from across ASEAN explored collaborative approaches to developing regulatory frameworks and policy initiatives aimed at accelerating responsible AI adoption, bridging AI literacy gaps, and unlocking opportunities in Southeast Asia, which align with Malaysia’s National AI Roadmap.

    The LIPs from Malaysia are Universiti Teknologi Petronas’ ASEAN Student Association and Kolej Tingkatan Enam Tun Fatimah. Through AI Awareness Campaigns, Training Sessions, Workshops, and Policy Discussions, they aim to empower students, educators, and professionals with the necessary skills to thrive in an AI-driven future. In response to what they hope to achieve through their involvement in the programme, the LIPs shared that they also seek to advocate for AI-friendly policies that align with Malaysia’s national digital transformation goals and ASEAN’s broader AI development framework.

    Ultimately, their goal is to establish Malaysia as a regional leader in AI innovation, ensuring that AI is leveraged for economic growth, social impact, and sustainable development. Wong Soon Ping, a representative from Universiti Teknologi Petronas’ ASEAN Student Association said: “Through initiatives like the AI Ready ASEAN programme, young people, particularly from underserved communities, gain exposure to AI concepts, coding, and hands-on learning, which opens up new career pathways in fast-growing tech industries such as robotics, data science, and automation. For educators, AI training not only enhances their teaching methods but also allows them to incorporate innovative technology into their classrooms, making lessons more engaging and relevant to the digital age. A key focus is ensuring that underserved communities, including rural populations, indigenous groups, and women, have equitable access to AI education, fostering a more inclusive and diverse AI ecosystem.”

    The event featured panel discussions that explored ASEAN’s AI landscape, the importance of ethical frameworks, and strategies to deliver AI programmes in local communities. In Malaysia, AI literacy is expanding through government initiatives and private sector collaborations. The AI untuk Rakyat (AI for the People) programme, a free online course to increase AI literacy, and the Cikgu Juara Digital programme, which empowers teachers with the skills to teach AI and coding, are central to Malaysia’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and driving inclusive AI adoption nationwide. The Ministry of Education also promotes Hour of Code, a worldwide programme introducing students to basic coding and AI concepts, encouraging computational thinking and problem-solving skills among young learners.

    The convention proved timely, as the growth of AI and the adoption of digital technologies will triple ASEAN’s digital economy, growing from approximately USD 300 billion to almost USD 1 trillion by 2030. Policies in the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) are expected to double the projection, boosting the economy to USD 2 trillion.

    Despite the momentum, AI’s maturity in the region remains polarised. In Malaysia, AI literacy is unevenly distributed across different demographics, with many underserved communities, including rural students, indigenous groups, and lower-income populations, still facing limited access to AI training. The digital divide poses challenges such as poor internet connection and lack of digital literacy programs, slowing down the region’s ambitions to become a premier AI hub. This manifests in the region’s varying levels of AI readiness among member states. Singapore leads the ASEAN region and ranks second globally in the Government AI Readiness 2024 Index. Malaysia follows closely, ranking second in ASEAN and 24th globally, a notable improvement from its 29th spot in 2022. In contrast, Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Myanmar remain in the early stages of AI adoption, ranking at 136th, 145th, and 149th, respectively.
    The Regional Policy Convention on AI Readiness marks a pivotal step toward democratising AI across ASEAN. By fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the development of essential policies, the initiative aims to bridge the AI divide and pave the way for a more inclusive and innovative future.
    This convention marked the official commencement of the AI Ready ASEAN initiative, launched in October 2024, which aims to enhance AI literacy in ASEAN member states. With a USD 5 million grant funded by Google.org, the 2.5-year programme aims to equip 5.5 million individuals with essential AI skills, with Malaysia being a key player in this transformative initiative.

    Over the two-day convention, the LIPs participated in a hands-on masterclass led by Code.org, which explored foundational AI concepts and practical strategies to overcome challenges in AI education. The experience was further enriched by a visit to Google Indonesia’s office, where participants witnessed real-world AI applications, gaining valuable insights and deepening their technical understanding of machine learning.

    Key stakeholders include H.E. Prof. Stella Christie, the Vice Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology of Indonesia, H.E. Nararya S. Soeprapto, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, H.E. Ambassador Bovonethat Douangchak, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the ASEAN Foundation and Permanent Representative of Lao PDR to ASEAN, Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation, and Putri Alam, Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy at Google Indonesia.