Malaysia's AI growth must be green, intelligent and focused on real-world applications - Fahmi

Malaysia is positioning itself as a regional AI hub, leveraging its growing digital infrastructure and competitive energy resources. The National AI Action Plan 2026-2030 aims for significant economic impact, projecting an additional RM13 billion to RM20 billion in annual GDP growth and the creation of up to 500,000 new AI-related jobs. This ambition is underscored by Huawei's commitment to developing 30,000 Malaysian AI talents and 200 local AI partners over the next three years. The focus on real-world applications across industries like semiconductors, manufacturing, and healthcare reflects a pragmatic approach to AI adoption. The country's strategic location and expanding data center capacity, projected to host two-thirds of ASEAN's data center capacity by 2035, provide a strong foundation. However, the success of these initiatives hinges on effective implementation and the ability to translate computing power into tangible economic value. The partnership with major tech firms like Huawei and the emphasis on local talent development are critical for achieving these targets and ensuring sustainable AI growth. China's rapid advancements in intelligent technologies, including the export of over 10,000 smart bionic robots to 90 countries, offer a benchmark for large-scale AI application. As Chinese tech firms invest in Malaysia's AI sector and data center infrastructure, this collaboration could accelerate Malaysia's AI development. The challenge for Malaysia will be to ensure that this growth is not only green and intelligent but also creates inclusive opportunities for its young workforce.