Selangor in talks with Nvidia to develop ‘sovereign AI’

 

Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari said the move to produce a “sovereign AI” is to ensure that Selangor is not tied to a particular country that controls the technology. (Bernama pic)

SHAH ALAM: 

The Selangor state government is in talks with Nvidia, the world’s leader in graphics chips, to produce a “sovereign artificial intelligence (AI)” as part of efforts to position the state as a leader in technological innovation in Malaysia, the state assembly was told.

The menteri besar, Amirudin Shari, said a white paper on AI would be tabled at the state assembly next year, which would include measures on improving the efficiency of government services, Bernama reported.

Amirudin said the move to produce a “sovereign AI” is to ensure that Selangor does not depend on other countries’ AI and not be tied to the viewpoint of a particular country that controls the technology.

“This sovereign AI means that the AI belongs to the state or country only. We are holding a meeting with Nvidia as we cannot depend on other countries’ AI,” he said.

Nvidia is the world’s leading producer of high-power graphics chips, which are used in the AI industry.

More revenue from state enterprises

The menteri besar, winding-up the debate on the 2025 budget at the state assembly, said the state government would strive to increase state revenue through new policies and other sources beyond land revenue and federal government contributions.

He said state-owned enterprises have contributed RM30 million to the state’s coffers with an additional RM10 million expected before the end of the year.

“Previously, we have never received (revenue) from the Selangor Utility Corridor (Kusel), but this year, Kusel will contribute RM1 million for the first time. We also received revenue from the Zero Discharge Policy. We estimate up to RM121 million in total if we can achieve it. We have already received RM18 million this year and will get more … our first collection in Nov 2024 will reach RM1 million,” he said. - FMT