BUILDING a sustainable and competitive artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem cannot rely on government initiatives alone, says Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
True success, he said, laid in cross-sector collaboration which involved industries, educational institutions, non-governmental organisations and the public.
“Everyone has a role to play, from policy-making and research and development to talent training and early tech education,” he said at the launch of “AI Horizon 2025” at Setia SPICE Arena in Bayan Lepas.
AI was a key driver of long-term competitiveness and sustainability in a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy, Chow said, as reported by Buletin Mutiara.
He said that under the Penang2030 Vision of becoming a “Family-Focused, Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation”, AI could support digital education, smart public services, entrepreneurship and an inclusive innovation economy.
He added that Penang’s five-year digital economy master plan underpinned the direction by focusing on business digitalisation, local digital talent development and strengthening the high-tech start-up ecosystem, including the development of AI hubs, data centres and tech incubators.
Chow, however, cautioned against the hidden risks of AI advancements such as job displacement from automation, algorithmic bias, and spread of misinformation.
To address these challenges, he said, the Federal Government had introduced AI Governance and Ethics Code (AIGE) that emphasised fairness, privacy and accountability.
Chow said an AI Act was also being studied to tackle issues like misuse, algorithmic discrimination, and data security.
“These efforts are in line with the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) of making Malaysia a responsible AI leader that upholds human values,” he added.
At the inaugural event, visitors were treated to a variety of AI-driven activities such as coding competitions, Young Engineers programme to expose schoolchildren to AI-based engineering, industry conferences, public forums and innovation showcases by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), start-ups and multinational firms.
Chow said there was clear public interest and readiness to embrace AI technology, and noted that Penangites were well-positioned to lead in this new era of intelligent innovation.
“This is not merely a technology exhibition, but a strategic platform to strengthen the understanding, application and innovation of AI at the national and global levels.”
Such an initiative, he said, was aligned with the Federal Government’s aspiration under 13MP to position Malaysia as a regional AI leader by 2030.
He expressed hope that the event would not be merely a once-a-year occurrence, but rather part of a long-term strategic agenda to position Penang and Malaysia as a responsible and ethical AI innovation hub, both regionally and globally.
Chow also thanked event organisers Tech Dome Penang, Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, Human Resource Development Corporation, Penang Island City Council, Penang Education Department and Penang STEM for making the event a success.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo, Penang island mayor Datuk A. Rajendran and Tech Dome Penang chief executive officer Khoo Boo Wooi.
