The government is serious about implementing the digital transformation of the country and wants to ensure that the people fully understand the initiative, including becoming digitally and Artificial Intelligence (AI) literate, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“We have no choice but to ensure that the people fully understand what I refer to as digital literacy and AI literacy,” he told the media after launching the AI For the People program at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in Serdang today.

AI For the People is a self-learning online program designed to enhance public understanding and awareness of AI.

Following the launch of the program, Anwar aims to reach one million users by the end of this year.

It is reported that Malaysia’s digital sector has made a significant contribution of 23.2 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The impact of the digital economy is expected to continue to rise, contributing an estimated 25.5 percent to the country’s economy by 2025 and creating up to 500,000 job opportunities.

Economic Minister Rafizi Ramli was also present.

Anwar also stated that the AI For the People program should be started as soon as possible among public servants and students.

“This is an introduction to what digital technology and AI are, and we need to make it mandatory for students and public servants to participate,” he said.

SINAR HARIAN
January 16, 2024, 1:16 PM

SERDANG: The government is seriously implementing the digital transformation of the country and wants to ensure that the people are fully aware of this initiative, becoming both digitally and Artificial Intelligence (AI) literate, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“We have no choice but to ensure that the people fully understand what I refer to as digital literacy and AI literacy,” he told the media after launching the AI For the People program at Universiti Putra Malaysia here today.

AI For the People is a self-learning online program designed to enhance public understanding and awareness of AI.

Following the program’s launch, Anwar aims to reach one million users by the end of this year.

It is reported that Malaysia’s digital sector has made a significant contribution of 23.2 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and the impact of the digital economy is expected to continue to rise, contributing an estimated 25.5 percent to the country’s economy by 2025 and creating up to 500,000 job opportunities.

Also present was Economic Minister Rafizi Ramli.

Anwar also said that the AI For the People program should be started as soon as possible among public servants and students.

“This is an introduction to what digital technology and AI are, and we need to make it mandatory for students and public servants to participate,” he said.

The program sees the government collaborating with semiconductor chip manufacturer Intel, and users can register on the www.ai.gov.my portal.

SERDANG: Malaysia will lag behind in various aspects, especially in becoming one of the world’s top 30 economies, if it does not master and penetrate the opportunities of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

This is because AI is a new technology and field that must be mastered starting now, aligning with current developments to navigate future changes.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia cannot afford to be late and too slow in mastering AI as it would cause the people to continuously fall behind.

According to him, the government is taking the initial step by launching the Artificial Intelligence (AI) For the People Program, which is a self-learning online platform designed to enhance public understanding and awareness of the field.

Through this program, the government aims for one million people to participate in a four-hour AI literacy program by the end of this year.

Following that, Anwar said all ministry secretaries-general and university vice-chancellors are requested to submit reports regarding the involvement of civil servants and students in the program.