27 August 2024, Petaling Jaya – The AI Conference 2024, themed "AI Driving the National Economy: Opportunities & Challenges," was officially launched by YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI) at Brickfield Asia College. Organized by the Electrical and Electronic Productivity Nexus (EEPN) and Digital Productivity Nexus (DPN) of the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), the event brought together industry leaders, government officials and AI experts to discuss the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on Malaysia's economy and productivity. The conference is supported by major partners including Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA), Microsoft, Brickfields Asia College (BAC), UNIMY, MIMOS, Fulkrum, OFO Tech, Elliance, T-Robot, Digital Penang, Mesolitica, Visionalytic and more.

YB Senator Tengku Zafrul emphasized in his keynote speech on the government's strategic initiatives to position Malaysia as a leader in AI by 2030. He outlined the Malaysia AI Roadmap, which aims to boost AI research, create a robust AI ecosystem, and ensure ethical AI practices. “Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and the Productivity Nexus play a pivotal role in facilitating industrial linkages and empowering businesses, especially SMEs, to embrace AI adoption to boost their market competitiveness and productivity. The MPC and Productivity Nexus’ tailored programmes and insights are necessary for preparing businesses to harness AI's potential, to support our manufacturing sector’s tech transformation. This, in turn, will realise MITI’s vision to turn Malaysia as an AI-powered manufacturing and services hub in Asia,” he stated. He also announced the launch of the National AI Sandbox pilot program in collaboration with Nvidia Corporation, which is expected to develop 900 AI startups and over 13,000 AI talents by 2026, driving economic growth and workforce competitiveness.

Zahid Ismail, Director General of MPC highlighted the significant productivity gains driven by AI, noting a 2.05% year-on-year increase in productivity as of March 2024. He explained that sectors more exposed to AI are experiencing nearly five times greater labour productivity growth. Despite Malaysia slipping in the World Competitiveness Ranking to 34^th place, recent improvements in trade, with a 10% increase as of May 2024, demonstrate the country's resilience and potential for recovery. Zahid stressed that AI-driven growth is key to enhancing national productivity and economic strength.

The conference also highlighted the benefits of AI for everyday Malaysians, including job creation, innovation, and economic diversification. The Electrical and Electronics (E&E) sector, which is a significant contributor to Malaysia's exports, is set to be revolutionized by AI, improving efficiency and productivity. Dato Seri Wong Siew Hai, EEPN Champion shared that AI-driven automation and smart manufacturing are transforming the E&E sector, making processes more efficient, reducing costs, and improving product quality.

Looking ahead, the AI Conference 2024 serves as a platform for exploring potential opportunities in AI technology and talent development, fostering a collaborative environment for key industry players and academics.

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About Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC)

MPC is a statutory body under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). It drives national productivity holistically at the national, sectoral, and enterprise levels through three main thrusts: developing future talent, driving digitization and innovation, and building a robust ecosystem. It collaborates strategically with the private and public sectors by emphasising productivity as a key agenda to boost productivity growth and national competitiveness, ultimately leading to shared well-being and prosperity.

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