FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
AI MALAYSIA - DRIVING THE JOURNEY TOWARDS AN AI NATION BY 2030
CYBERJAYA, 28 July 2026 – The Honorable Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, today officially announced the establishment of AI Malaysia Berhad, a national artificial intelligence entity under the Ministry of Digital. This move represents an official enhancement and institutionalisation of the National AI Office (NAIO), which was originally established on December 12, 2024, to drive the nation's future technology transformation agenda.
The launch of AI Malaysia serves as a key catalyst in realising the AI Nation 2030 aspiration. This agenda is formulated in alignment with the goals of the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan (13MP) and the Malaysia MADANI framework, positioning AI as the heartbeat of economic growth, public sector transformation, and the inclusive enhancement of societal well-being.
Institutionalisation of AI Malaysia: Strategic Whole-of-Government Coordination
As a national AI entity under the Ministry of Digital, AI Malaysia serves as an apex body unifying policy coordination with implementation at the national level. Through a whole-of-government ecosystem approach, AI Malaysia will spearhead the following core responsibilities:
•Policy Coordination and Implementation: Bridging national policy strategies with a holistic operational implementation;
•High-Impact Monitoring: Ensuring close monitoring of outcomes and achievements under the National AI Action Plan 2030;
•Trusted AI Governance: Developing governance frameworks, codes of ethics, standards, and trust mechanisms, as well as coordinating AI-related policies;
•Strategic Collaboration: Coordinating global AI partnerships and strategic collaborations; and
•Malaysia AI Safety Institute: Fulfilling the role of the national AI Safety Institute to strengthen Digital Trust.
National AI Action Plan 2026-2020: A Nation-Building Agenda
In conjunction with this launch, the Government also introduced the National AI Action Plan 2026-2030 as a critical nation-building agenda. The plan is driven through a highly structured implementation mechanism that focuses specifically on strengthening the ecosystem via two main components:
1.14 sectoral initiatives that directly impact the country's socio-economic growth; and
2.14 enabler initiatives supporting the impact sectors, encompassing five (5) foundational enablers, namely:
i.Globally Competitive Human Capital;
ii.Market-Driven Innovation;
iii.Data and Computing Infrastructure;
iv.Responsible Governance; and
v.Sustainable Financing and Investment.
Establishment of the Malaysia AI Safety Institute
In line with the AI Nation 2030 aspiration, Malaysia has established the Malaysia AI Safety Institute as a strategic initiative to strengthen technical capabilities by leveraging expertise from the government, industry, academia, and research institutions to ensure the safe adoption of AI (AI Safety) in Malaysia.
The Malaysia AI Safety Institute will reinforce a safe, trusted, and responsible AI ecosystem through three main pillars: AI RDCI (Research, Development, Commercialisation, and Innovation), which encompasses safety evaluations, testing, and AI Red Teaming; strategic collaborations for talent development, expertise sharing, and technology transfer at both national and international levels; and governance, safety, and regulatory support through the development of standards, risk management, and compliance assurance. Its establishment will boost public confidence, enhance the nation's resilience against AI risks, and solidify Malaysia's position as a regional hub for AI safety and governance.
Commitment to a Trusted AI Governance Ecosystem
In driving the rapid growth of AI technology, the MADANI Government remains committed to building a safe and ethical AI governance ecosystem. Through AI Malaysia, full focus will be placed on ensuring that any AI systems developed, deployed, and governed within the country are consistently human-centric, safe, and trustworthy. To strengthen this foundation, the AI Governance Bill is currently being drafted as the primary legal instrument utilising a risk-based approach. The development of the Bill, which is now open for public consultation, is targeted for completion by the end of this year to provide clear safeguards and legal certainty without stifling innovation thereby boosting public and investor confidence in the nation's digital ecosystem.
The Minister of Digital, YB Gobind Singh Deo, stated that the establishment of AI Malaysia Berhad under the Ministry of Digital is a strategic move to comprehensively integrate policy coordination and execution at the national level. Guided by the National AI Action Plan 2026–2030, the ministry remains committed to ensuring that artificial intelligence development is built upon a solid foundation of trust, safety, and strong governance, including through the drafting of the AI Governance Bill and the establishment of the Malaysia AI Safety Institute.
The launch of AI Malaysia, along with the announcement of the National AI Action Plan 2026–2030 and the establishment of the Malaysia AI Safety Institute, reflects the nation's readiness to not only be a tech consumer, but a leader in safe and responsible AI innovation in the region. This serves to drive shared prosperity for all Malaysians and ultimately achieve the vision of turning Malaysia into an AI Nation by 2030.
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Issued by:
Ministry of Digital.
