KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia must evolve beyond just adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and develop and harness the technology responsibly to create solutions that have a global impact, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang on Tuesday.
This vision calls for a skilled, future-ready workforce and an innovation ecosystem rooted in trust, collaboration and shared prosperity, especially as AI continues to reshape industries, economies and everyday life, Chang said in his speech at the Malaysia Board of Technologists Experts Network in Technology, Innovation and Cooperation 2026 conference.
"This reflects the ministry's vision of building a high-tech nation through science, technology, innovation and economy, supported by agile governance, enabling policies and a future-ready workforce," he said.
Chang said the rapid rise of AI is fueling strong global demand for high-performance computing and hyperscale data centers, and Malaysia, with its strategic location, robust digital connectivity, competitive business climate and growing tech talent, is well-positioned to seize the opportunity.
He noted that Malaysia has emerged as one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing data center hubs, with more than 140 billion ringgit (about 34.5 billion U.S. dollars) in data center and cloud-related investments approved between 2021 and 2025. ■