KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 – Industry players have an important role in shaping Malaysia’s artificial intelligence (AI) future by building made-by-Malaysia AI solutions and developing robust digital infrastructure, said Digital Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Fabian Bigar.
He said achieving Malaysia’s ambition of becoming a leading AI-powered digital economy required more than acquiring technology, but a fundamental transformation in how organisations operate and how AI was developed and deployed responsibly.
“It is about shaping AI’s development and its responsible deployment to improve lives, strengthen businesses and drive sustainable national growth,” he said in a recorded address delivered for The Frontier of Super Intelligence 2026: AI & Beyond event today.
The event was hosted by National Tech Association of Malaysia (PIKOM).
Fabian said the Ministry of Digital looked to PIKOM and its members to drive a dual mandate, building made-by-Malaysia AI solutions while ensuring innovation served a higher societal purpose.
“We are challenging PIKOM members to lead the charge in building made-by-Malaysia AI solutions. You have the commercial capacity. You have the technical expertise. You have the innovative drive to architect sovereign tools and robust digital infrastructure by pushing the boundaries of global competitiveness and by commercialising on-ground technology,” he said.
He said PIKOM had a tremendous capacity and decades of experience in community outreach and ecosystem building, which could contribute towards expanding AI capabilities and expertise across rural and urban communities.
Fabian said achieving Malaysia’s AI vision required collaboration between the government, private sector and the public through a whole-of-nation approach. He said industry leaders should invest in sovereign innovation, build on-the-ground AI solutions, develop the digital talent pipeline and share expertise to strengthen Malaysia’s competitiveness globally.
Meanwhile, PIKOM Chairman Alex Liew called on SMEs, startups and enterprises to accelerate AI adoption and implementation, stressing that Malaysia must seize the opportunity to establish its position in the global AI economy.
He said Malaysia must move beyond being a consumer of technology and become a creator of innovation, intellectual property and technology companies. He added that enterprises must move beyond pilot projects into real implementation to turn AI adoption into economic value.