PRESS RELEASE
NATIONAL AI OFFICE STUDYING HOW AI WILL IMPACT JOBS, MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO SAFEGUARD WORKERS’ WELFARE
KUALA LUMPUR, January 31, 2025 – The MADANI Government is taking proactive steps to ensure Malaysians are equipped with the right skills and expertise as digital technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), play a pivotal role across all industries and sectors in the country.
Minister of Digital, Gobind Singh Deo added that the recently-launched National AI Office (NAIO) will also play a role in studying the impact of such technology on jobs, and provide recommendations to ensure Malaysians remain in the workforce.
“If we use technology, we will move forward. If we don’t embrace technology, we will be left far behind in this digital age. As such, we have to take this bold step of adopting and adapting digital technology.
“I understand some people are concerned about the use of technology, and how it will impact jobs. I would like to stress that the aspect of jobs is extremely important to the MADANI Government. We want to ensure that while we use technology to elevate our businesses and economy, we have to ensure that people have jobs.”
Gobind said that the Ministry of Digital is working closely with the Ministry of Human Resources to study the impact of technology as a whole, and to identify the jobs of the near future. He added this was achieved through Talent Corp’s ‘Impact Study of Artificial Intelligence, Digital, and Green Economy on the Malaysian Workforce’ that was made public in November 2024.
“The study showed the types of technology that will grow rapidly over the next five years, and how such technology will impact jobs, and the sectors. We need to know which sectors will be impacted, and which need to be strengthened. For the workers who would be affected, we have to make the necessary preparations to ensure they have the right skills. We will help upskill and reskill them so that they can continue being in the workforce,” said Gobind.
“With their new skills, they can also venture into other sectors. Technology can also create new job opportunities.”
Gobind added that Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, had last month, instructed the Ministry of Digital to look at jobs that would be impacted by AI.
“NAIO will, among others, look into this and make recommendations. I want to assure everyone that while the Government values technology, we will give our fullest attention to the evolving job landscape to ensure people remain in the workforce. If there are certain sectors that are impacted by digital technology, then we already have a solution for the workers in those areas,” he added.
NAIO, which was launched on December 12, 2024, serves as the central authority to champion Malaysia’s AI agenda. It also aims to position Malaysia as a regional leader in AI technology and applications.
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Issued by:
Office of the Minister
Ministry of Digital, Malaysia
