According to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement on Tuesday, Malaysia intends to establish a national cloud strategy and enact rules to promote the moral application of artificial intelligence (AI). The declaration coincides with a surge in investments made in Malaysia over the past year by international tech companies looking to develop vital infrastructure in response to the rising demand for their cloud and artificial intelligence services.
According to Anwar, Malaysia’s national cloud strategy would prioritise four key areas: enhancing user confidence and data security; fostering economic growth and competitiveness; empowering citizens through digital inclusivity; and public service innovation and efficiency.
In order to coordinate efforts, he added, the government would also establish a national AI office. This office would be tasked with producing a five-year technology action plan and a regulatory framework in order to accelerate the use of ethical and sustainable AI within the next year.
“Our goal is to establish Malaysia as a centre for generative artificial intelligence, and tech partners’ investments will play a crucial role in creating a strong and safe digital infrastructure,” Anwar declared during a groundbreaking ceremony for Google’s (GOOGL.O) $2 billion data centre and cloud region in the nation.
Google stated this week that it will invest more than $3 billion by 2030, and create 26,500 jobs in Malaysia as part of a multi-year partnership with a local IT company to deliver sovereign cloud services.
Digital investments have helped boost Malaysia’s economy this year, with growth surpassing market estimates in the last two quarters and the ringgit currency becoming one of Asia’s best performers.
Google’s actions are a part of a larger push into Southeast Asia by international tech corporations vying for a larger presence in a region home to 670 million young, digital-savvy people.
In an effort to fulfil rising cloud demand and encourage the adoption of AI in Southeast Asia, Google announced on Monday that it will invest $1 billion in Thailand to construct a data centre and cloud region.
