Malaysia’s AI Transformation Should Prioritise Education, Healthcare -- Senator

From Abdul Hamid A Rahman

GUIYANG, China, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s push towards artificial intelligence (AI) should place human empowerment and dignity at its core as the country accelerates adoption of the technology across key sectors, particularly education and healthcare.

Malaysian delegates attending the China International Big Data Industry Expo 2026 here said China’s experience demonstrated how AI and big data could be developed through closer coordination among the government, industries, universities and other segments of society. However, technological advancement should ultimately improve people’s lives rather than diminish the role of humans.

One of the delegates, Senator Datuk Seri Professor Dr Noor Inayah Yaakub, who is also founder of Neuro Ethical Global Consulting and MindGuard Ethical Intelligence Sdn Bhd, said education and healthcare should be among Malaysia’s priority sectors in adopting AI and big-data technology, pointing to China’s systematic approach to developing its digital ecosystem.

“The first two priorities are education as well as health,” she told Bernama, adding that China’s government investment and collaboration with industries offered lessons that Malaysia could consider.

She said such cooperation could ultimately benefit young Malaysians throughout the education system, from early childhood education to university level.

“Having spent about 30 years in higher education and also being involved in the legal profession, I said rapid technological development has raised another important question, ie, how countries could ensure that human dignity remained protected as AI became increasingly capable.

“This had also motivated me in my research into the intersection between technology, law and ethics,” she said, adding that Malaysia should ensure humans remain at the centre of technological development rather than allowing technology to dictate the direction of society. “We are human, we must be above the robotics,” she reiterated.

Meanwhile, Alpha University College vice-chancellor Professor Dr Nurliza Haslin Muslim said Malaysian higher education institutions should increasingly view AI as a tool that empowers people rather than one that replaces them.

“There are concerns among some university lecturers and practitioners over the negative implications of AI, particularly its potential use for plagiarism. However, universities should also recognise how the technology could help students learn and work more effectively,” she told Bernama.

Nurliza said AI could assist students facing difficulties in writing theses, essays and assignments, including helping them overcome mental blocks. Citing her own experience using AI, she said the technology could help users work faster and more efficiently when appropriately utilised.

“AI can become a tool that helps students overcome mental blocks and make them better. Work can be faster and also more efficient,” she added.

The vice-chancellor said Alpha University College is already actively offering courses related to information technology, AI and cybersecurity, in line with Malaysia’s national aspirations to advance AI and big data. “Universities, industries and governments could not afford to ignore big data, particularly as it became increasingly important to businesses and marketing,” she said.

She said Malaysia could also consider organising platforms similar to the expo that bring together industry practitioners, universities, government representatives and technology players to advance the country’s AI and big-data agenda.

On Malaysia-China cooperation, she said Alpha University College has signed memoranda of understanding with several Chinese universities involving areas such as research, student exchanges and dual-award programmes. “We are also expected to visit between six and eight universities following the expo to explore further collaboration in Guiyang,” she revealed.

Bernama also conveyed a question from the Guiyang Municipal People’s Government on whether China’s current digital services and Internet infrastructure made the delegates more willing to pursue long-term cooperation in the country. In response to that, Noor Inayah said China’s digital infrastructure and technological strength created strong prospects for sustained cooperation, particularly as Malaysia and China already enjoy close bilateral ties.

“China’s familiarity with ASEAN culture also made its technologies potentially more relevant and adaptable to the region,” she noted.

At the same time, she said technological advancement need not come at the expense of culture and history.

“Reflecting on a visit to a Miao village in Guizhou, I was impressed that cultural heritage continued to be preserved alongside China’s rapid technological transformation. “We cannot neglect history,” she said, adding that Malaysia could similarly pursue technological advancement without losing sight of its cultural heritage.

Meanwhile, Nurliza said China’s advanced digital services have strengthened the case for deeper long-term cooperation between Malaysian and Chinese universities and companies. “Guiyang’s development as a big-data hub also offered useful lessons for Malaysia as it seeks to be more aggressive in advancing its own AI and big-data agenda,” she added.

-- BERNAMA