by AUFA MARDHIAH / pic TMR FILE

PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (picture) today launched the “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Programme for the People” to enhance digital literacy among Malaysians.

Originally slated to target three million users in a year, Anwar, during launch revised the target by instructing the Higher Education and Education Ministries to speed up the initiation of the platform and to not delay it until February.

“Just like the introduced applications, if not embraced promptly with the required swiftness, we will lag behind. AI, like other new technologies, is a field that must be mastered now and accepted at the pace of change that compels us to quickly grasp it.

“If used today and it takes three months for universities and schools to think and plan, and six months for students to engage in the AI for the People application, then we will be behind by a year.

“I hope UPM (University Putra Malaysia) and other universities will ensure that all students, without exception, especially at the university level, participate in this programme, and it is not limited to IT students. 

“The programme should extend across ministries and departments at the public service level,” Anwar said during the launch at UPM today.

The AI Programme for the People or “AI untuk Rakyat” is an online self-learning platform aimed to educate Malaysians on what AI is about. The programme is free-of-charge for all Malaysians and is made available in four languages — Malay, English, Mandarin and Tamil.

The programme comprises two modules, “AI Aware” and “AI Appreciate”, designed with a flexible self-learning structure allowing participants to complete the programme at their own pace, with a possible completion time of four hours. Access to the programme is provided through the portal www.ai.gov.my.

Anwar added that he plans for the Cabinet members to undergo the course and also to question ministers about it during meetings.

Meanwhile, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, who is also overseeing the project, stated that leveraging generative AI has the potential to generate around US$113.4 billion (RM525.04 billion), equivalent to 25% of Malaysia’s GDP.

Rafizi said that the programme represents a new governmental effort to address the digital literacy disparity in the population.

He emphasised that for students, the initiative offers a foundational introduction to the world of AI, aiming to spark their interest for future exploration and career development in the sector. 

“By leveraging this opportunity, we can build a future-proof digital economy and enable Malaysia to generate higher value on the global stage.

“Together, we can collectively build a technologically savvy society to achieve the aspiration of becoming a digitally-driven economy by 2030,” he said.