According to Cointelegraph, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that a national AI office will be established to coordinate AI development and ensure responsible regulation. This reflects the trend of global governments embracing AI.
The Prime Minister also unveiled a national cloud computing policy aimed at boosting innovation in public services, economic growth, competitiveness and digital inclusion. The policy will prioritize data security and user trust.
The National AI Office will complete a five-year technology âaction planâ and regulatory framework to promote the adoption of ethical and sustainable AI.
On August 1, Malaysia proposed to implement licensing requirements for social media and messaging service providers with more than eight million users, which is expected to take effect in January 2025, aiming to reduce online harms such as cyberbullying, scams and gambling.
Despite opposition to some regulations, big tech companies are actively investing in Malaysia. Google announced a multi-year partnership with Malaysian tech companies that is expected to create 26,500 jobs and contribute more than $3 billion to the local economy by 2030. Google is also building a $2 billion data center.
Microsoft also pledged in May 2024 to invest $2.2 billion, focusing on AI and cloud computing, and will work with the government to create a "National AI Center of Excellence" and enhance cybersecurity capabilities.
