Govt steps up reskilling, upskilling after identifying AI-affected sectors

 Digital minister Gobind Singh Deo says this is to ensure the workforce is prepared to face technological changes.

Digital minister Gobind Singh Deo said the government is paying attention to the new job opportunities that AI will create, which require different skills and expertise. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR:

The government has identified sectors expected to be affected by artificial intelligence and is stepping up efforts to improve skills and training to prepare the workforce for technological change.

Launching a report on AI adoption in financial institutions today, digital minister Gobind Singh Deo said some existing jobs are likely to transform as new technology is adopted.

“We have identified which sectors will be affected, and we are in the process of ensuring we can improve their skills in terms of upskilling and reskilling,” Bernama reported him as saying.

He said the government is also paying attention to the new job opportunities that AI will create, which require different skills and expertise.

Gobind said the government is formulating a strategy to ensure that educational institutions, universities and skills training centres can meet the growing talent needs created by AI.

He said the government’s efforts are not only focused on students and new graduates, but also on existing employees, with the development of accessible learning modules to help them improve their AI-related skills.

This aligns with Malaysia’s aspiration to become an AI-ready nation by 2030, which requires talent, digital infrastructure, and a comprehensive technology ecosystem.

Gobind said the national AI governance framework being developed will not take over the role of existing regulators, but complement their efforts to manage the challenges and opportunities posed by AI technology.

“Sectors such as finance, medicine and other professions each have their own regulatory institutions, and the National AI Office will work with relevant parties to ensure that the development of AI technology is in line with national needs and security aspects,” he said.

The report, commissioned by FIDE Forum and Accenture Malaysia, stated that while 71% of financial institutions in Malaysia have implemented at least one AI application, only 17% have successfully implemented strategic AI initiatives on a larger scale.

It also found that none of the participating financial institutions had achieved full AI integration at the enterprise level.

It identified talent shortages, legacy technology infrastructure, governance gaps, and limited AI literacy levels among board members as key challenges hindering the widespread adoption of AI. - FMT