Malaysia must ditch bureaucracy to embrace AI and innovation, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged Malaysia to abandon outdated bureaucratic practices that hinder the adoption of new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), warning that the nation risks falling behind in the global innovation race. He stressed that government leaders must actively foster synergy with diverse stakeholders to propel the AI sector forward, rather than depending solely on budget allocations.

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We cannot follow the old ways anymore; we must move fast.

"We cannot follow the old ways anymore; we must move fast," Ibrahim stated, emphasizing the need for speed and agility in the post-normal era. He highlighted Malaysia's potential to rapidly explore new technological frontiers, pointing to the swift establishment of an AI faculty in just three months as evidence of the country's capabilities. The Prime Minister encouraged ministries, especially the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI), to embrace new thinking and explore novel approaches.

Ibrahim also advocated for broader access to emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing. He questioned why these fields should be confined to a small segment of society, arguing for their introduction at school and university levels. He acknowledged that revising school and university curricula takes time, but pointed to the immediate establishment of an AI faculty as a model for rapid implementation, contrasting it with the lengthy traditional processes involving departmental reviews, senate approvals, and ministry consultations.

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Why should AI be the property of a small group? Why can't we expose it to a wider audience?

Furthermore, the Prime Minister called on all leaders to leverage existing resources and strengthen collaboration between government agencies, government-linked investment companies (GLICs), and government-linked companies (GLCs). This synergy, he believes, can reduce the burden on the government for research and development, with an assurance that research funding will be increased. The upcoming national budget, scheduled for early October, is expected to reflect these priorities.

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If we wait for school and university systems and curricula to be changed, it will certainly take time.