By PHUBIEYAS AHMAD
BANDAR BARU BANGI, Oct 7 – Women leaders must remain accountable for decisions made using artificial intelligence, while strengthening their judgement against digital deception and protecting human dignity, speakers at a leadership forum said.
“You can outsource work to technology, but we should never outsource the accountability,” Microsoft’s Dr. Jasmine Begum told participants.
These issues were explored at the Forum Kepimpinan Wanita: Tanggungjawab Dan Amanah at Bangi Convention Centre on Monday, bringing questions of accountability and prudent decision-making into the discussion on women’s leadership.
Organised by Neuro Ethics Global Consulting & Mind Guard Ethical Intelligence Sdn. Bhd, the half-day programme brought together experienced figures to discuss leadership, governance, policy and influence grounded in values.
Its four themes, “intellectualism, influence, resilience and dignity” supported the message of leading with integrity and creating impact with purpose.
Jasmine who currently serves as the General Manager of Government Affairs & Public Policy for Microsoft ASEAN and the Non-Executive Chairperson of MIMOS Berhad said organisations using AI agents to examine whether they have an operating model to oversee their actions, stressing that accountability must remain with people.
She described how criminals exploit trusted identities to persuade victims to act. A message apparently sent by a colleague, friend or senior executive can encourage someone to click a link or approve a payment without sufficient verification.
Her recommendations included calling back through a known number, applying a two-person review to important transactions and escalating suspicious instructions to the person whose identity may have been misused.
She encouraged women to strengthen their knowledge of digital threats, both as organisational leaders and as parents helping families recognise risks.
Jasmine also linked cybersecurity to geopolitics and the continuity of public services, highlighting the need to consider security alongside legal and policy decisions. She called for stronger awareness and curriculum reviews to prepare people for a changing digital environment.
Senator Datuk Seri Prof. Dr. Noor Inayah Ya’akub, a member of the Dewan Negara with a background in law and university leadership emphasised that leadership should be judged by the quality of decisions made by those in positions of authority.
She said a leader’s thinking, voice and power should produce decisions informed by knowledge, values and the interests of the organisation, rather than personal advantage.
Her discussion of prudent judgement connected neuroscience and law with the preservation of intellect within maqasid syariah, the objectives of Islamic law. She emphasised the importance of protecting human dignity as organisations adopt AI and other technologies.
Noor Inayah described four connected responsibilities that women leaders carry: their relationship with God, obligations to family, professional duties and contributions to society.
She also stressed the importance of nurturing younger colleagues without feeling threatened when they progress or exceed the achievements of those mentoring them.
The forum was moderated by Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Izhar Ariff bin Mohd Kashim, Dean of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Faculty of Islamic Studies.
He reinforced the need for verification by recounting how he had transferred money to someone impersonating an acquaintance through WhatsApp. The deception became clear only when he met the real acquaintance.
In his closing observations, he encouraged women to understand their rights, build knowledge and develop personal reputations founded on integrity.
Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail delivers the closing address at the Forum Kepimpinan Wanita: Tanggungjawab Dan Amanah at Bangi Convention Centre on Oct 6, 2026, highlighting the need for stronger support systems and shared family responsibilities for working women. Picture credit: TNS NEWS
Guest of honour Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, wife of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, highlighted the support women need to sustain their participation in working life.
She called for flexible working arrangements, stronger support systems and shared household responsibilities to help women balance careers with caring for children and ageing parents.
In her concluding remarks, Noor Inayah said the forum sought to connect women’s leadership with wisdom, ensuring that knowledge translates into carefully considered decisions and policies. Leaders, she emphasised, must remain mindful of their responsibilities to family, their organisations and the wider community.
She also outlined plans for further discussions bringing together neuroscience, neuro law and psychology. She also highlighted the importance of perspectives from technology experts and Islamic scholars to deepen understanding of decision-making and responsibility.
- TNS NEWS