Malaysia’s AI Nation plan by 2030 — how the government is preparing its people

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Kritik
14 Sep 2026
15
SubCategory | AI

Malaysia’s AI Nation plan by 2030 — how the government is preparing its people

By Soo Wern Jun

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 — On a daily basis we wake up to check our mobile phones for the quickest route to work using a navigation application, then perhaps proceed to clear out filtered spam emails.

At lunch, a food delivery application recommends restaurants, while an online shopping platform suggests products based on what you have previously viewed.

At home, someone managing a household might use artificial intelligence (AI) to prep a cooking recipe, order groceries or use a learning platform to help a child with homework.

Much of this may not feel like “artificial intelligence” at work, but the broader picture is clear — AI is no longer something so alien that Malaysians suddenly have to learn about or make drastic adjustments to accommodate it.

What is changing is how much more it is expected to become part of workplaces, schools, businesses and government services.

That is why the government is looking at preparing the country to become an “AI nation” by 2030, ensuring its citizens are equipped to understand it, adapt to it and be protected from the risks that come with the technology.

So what is the government doing to prepare Malaysians for that future?

A changing work environment

One of the biggest concerns surrounding AI is what it could mean for jobs.

Under the National AI Action Plan 2026–2030, Malaysia is targeting the creation of over 300,000 jobs attributable to AI by 2030.

Separately, the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint 2030 sets a target of 700,000 workers being re-skilled and up-skilled, and 80 per cent of the population becoming digitally literate by 2030.

The distinction matters: creating AI-related jobs does not necessarily mean preparing existing workers for changes to their current roles.

That is where initiatives such as Jelajah AI MyMahir come in.

The programme, run by TalentCorp under the Human Resources Ministry targets students, workers, jobseekers, entrepreneurs, homemakers and senior citizens.

Running the programme is part of efforts to provide safeguards for an estimated 685,000 Malaysian workers who could be significantly affected by AI over the next three to five years if reskilling and upskilling efforts are not intensified.

This does not mean 685,000 jobs will disappear, rather, it refers to workers whose roles or tasks may change and who will need to learn how to adapt.

Basic digital and AI literacy

The Digital Ministry’s Rakyat Digital platform provides free foundational learning in areas including AI, cybersecurity, cloud technology, blockchain and generative AI. — Unsplash pic

For many Malaysians, the starting point is understanding how digital and AI tools work — and how to use them safely.

The Digital Ministry’s Rakyat Digital platform provides free foundational learning in areas including AI, cybersecurity, cloud technology, blockchain and generative AI.

Its AI-related courses include AI Fluency and Introduction to AI.

The platform offers learning in Malay, English, Chinese and Tamil, with features including dyslexia-friendly content.

As part of the government’s inclusion efforts, it has identified groups such as rural communities, senior citizens, youth, persons with disabilities and micro, small and medium enterprises.

This matters because being connected does not automatically mean one is digitally literate, or knows how to assess an AI-generated answer, protect personal information, identify a scam or understand how an automated system may affect them.

AI Untuk Rakyat

The original programme, launched in 2024, was designed as a self-learning course for people from different backgrounds, including students, professionals, stay-at-home parents and senior citizens.

It introduced basic AI concepts through two sections — AI Aware and AI Appreciate — and takes about four hours to complete and is available in four languages.

A newer version was announced in August 2026 under Rakyat Digital, which is specifically aimed at younger Malaysians.

It targets 100,000 Malaysians aged 18 to 30 through 2027, with the programme available through Rakyat Digital from August 31.

Participants must complete and pass six modules:

Source: malaysias-ai-nation-plan-by-2030-how-the-government-is-preparing-its-people/234593

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