Malaysia Champions Global AI Cooperation to Bridge Digital Divide, Says Digital Minister
SHANGHAI, July 27 — Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo has called for stronger international collaboration to ensure that artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies serve the collective good of humanity.
Speaking at the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, the flagship event of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2025 in Shanghai, Gobind emphasised that narrowing the digital divide and fostering cross-border digital cooperation are critical priorities in the AI era.
“In this AI-shaped era, collaboration is essential. Only through shared commitment, innovation, and vigilance can we ensure that the digital world remains a force for good,” he said.
Gobind expressed Malaysia’s strong support for the Global AI Governance Action Plan, which aims to promote responsible development and deployment of AI worldwide.
He noted that Malaysia is poised to benefit significantly from AI adoption, with generative AI alone projected to unlock up to USD113.4 billion in productive capacity across sectors.
To harness this potential, Malaysia established the National AI Office (NAIO) in December 2024, which now serves as the central agency driving the nation’s AI strategy and ecosystem.
“As we advance our national AI agenda, we remain committed to inclusive growth, responsible innovation, and global cooperation,” he said.
At the regional level, Malaysia is taking the lead during its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 by launching the ASEAN AI Safety Network, a platform to promote best practices, collaborative research, standards development, and ethical AI use among member states.
Malaysia will host two major global events this year — The ASEAN AI Malaysia Summit (August 11–12), and The Smart Cities World Expo Kuala Lumpur (September 17–19).
“These gatherings will bring together governments, industry leaders, and academic experts to deepen discussions on AI governance, innovation, and the future of digital transformation,” he said.
Gobind stressed that AI is not only transforming industries but also shaping how societies function, make decisions, and manage resources.
“AI is accelerating global development. But to ensure that it uplifts all of humanity, we must build the technologies of tomorrow together, across borders, and with a shared vision for a better world,” he added.
