AWS Launches Semarak AI Malaysia To Accelerate Nationwide AI Adoption
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched Semarak AI Malaysia, a national programme to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI).
The programme aims to equip government officers, businesses and the public with AI tools and skills to develop their own solutions.
AWS Malaysia, Pakistan and Brunei country manager Hussein Mohd Ali said the programme, built on three pillars, namely AI Negara, AI Ekonomi and AI Rakyat, was designed to bring AI knowledge and capabilities to different segments of society.
“I am proud to announce the launch of Semarak AI Malaysia. Semarak means flourish, ignite, or vibrancy in Bahasa Malaysia. So, we are here to ignite AI in Malaysia,” he said in his keynote address at the AWS Cloud and AI Day here today.
In a statement, AWS said AI Negara would make its Amazon Quick tool available to up to 445,000 government officers, providing public sector teams with practical, hands-on experience in applying agentic AI to their daily work.
For AI Ekonomi, AWS aims to equip Malaysian software companies and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with tools such as Amazon Quick and Kiro to help them compete, grow and expand into regional markets.
Meanwhile, AI Rakyat focuses on bringing AI skills to polytechnic students, community centres and schools nationwide.
Hussein said that the initiative aligns with Malaysia's wider digital goals, following the launch of Malaysia Digital 2030 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in June, as well as the establishment of AI Malaysia Bhd as a permanent national AI office in July.
Meanwhile, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said AWS’ planned investment of RM29.2 billion in Malaysia through 2038 was estimated to contribute RM57.3 billion to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and support an annual average of more than 3,500 jobs at local businesses.
"Access to advanced cloud and AI technologies enables Malaysian businesses to improve productivity, reduce costs and develop new products and services without substantial upfront investments in infrastructure,” he said.
Johari highlighted the necessity to ensure local companies benefit from the expansion of the digital economy. This includes talent and supplier development to enhance their capabilities and competitiveness in both regional and global markets.
-- BERNAMA