By TENGKU NOOR SHAMSIAH TENGKU ABDULLAH
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 – Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries and societies worldwide, and Malaysia is no exception. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia is positioning itself as a leader in AI innovation.
The government’s commitment to AI is evident through various initiatives aimed at integrating AI into multiple sectors, enhancing the quality of life for all Malaysians.
Prof. Jamiel Sheikh, CEO of Modelex.AI, highlights the nation’s initiatives such as the National AI Roadmap and MY AI NEXUS, which are set to revolutionize key sectors like manufacturing and finance.
A leading expert in AI, blockchain, and finance, with over 25 years of experience, Prof Jamiel believes Malaysia’s strategic embrace of AI presents profound opportunities to accelerate economic expansion, stimulate job creation, and assert itself as a vanguard of technological innovation.
“Through these initiatives, the country enhances productivity across critical sectors—such as manufacturing and finance—while strengthening its competitive position globally,” he told TNS News during his visit to Malaysia last week.
The MY AI NEXUS initiative, launched in May 2024 by the prime minister, is a comprehensive programme aimed at positioning Malaysia as a leader in AI technology.
This initiative aligns with the Madani Economic pillars: Tatakelola (Governance), Menaikkan Siling (Raising the Ceiling), and Menaikkan Pendapatan Negara (Increasing National Income).
Prof. Jamiel noted, “Fully realising AI’s transformative potential demands unprecedented capital deployment, posing a significant risk for smaller nations like Malaysia, which must navigate resource constraints while competing on the global stage.
Equally critical is the deep protection of intellectual property, ensuring that innovations, particularly in AI-generated content, are safeguarded under stringent copyright laws.”
To further incentivize growth, Prof. Jamiel suggests that the Malaysian government consider targeted tax breaks and policy frameworks that encourage AI investment. Additionally, he advocates for a reformation of the academic landscape to embrace generative AI and integrate it into the educational system. “AI should be seen as an asset rather than a disruptor,” he remarked.
By prioritising workforce reskilling, investing in infrastructure, establishing ethical regulatory frameworks, and fostering public-private partnerships, Malaysia stands poised to harness
AI’s capabilities and drive sustained, future-focused economic growth. This approach aligns with the pillar of Tatakelola (Governance), ensuring transparency and accountability in AI development.
Prof. Jamiel emphasizes that with the right investments and policies, Malaysia can transform its AI ambitions into tangible economic benefits, setting a precedent for other nations to follow.
This vision supports the pillar of Menaikkan Siling (Raising the Ceiling) by elevating Malaysia’s economic stature and making it a competitive, world-class investment destination.
Apart from being the founder of Modelex.AI, Prof. Jamiel is also the CEO of Scifn and the Digital Currency Think Tank, working with top clients such as the World Bank, Bertelsmann, Accenture, U.S. State Department, Douglas Elliman, and Vodafone.
He has held key roles at Lehman Brothers, Bank of America, and Oracle, and is an adjunct professor at Zhejiang International Business School, CUNY SPS, and Zicklin Business School, as well as an Innovation Fellow at Columbia Business School.
- TNS NEWS