UTAR elevates academic leadership at the launch of AI Malaysia

UTAR played a pivotal role in advancing Malaysia’s artificial intelligence (AI) ambitions during the launch of AI Malaysia (AIM) and the inaugural ASEAN-BAC Conversations on AI, held at the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB) Centre of Excellence in Kuala Lumpur. The event was jointly hosted by ASEAN-BAC Malaysia, ASEAN Business Advisory Council Malaysia 2025, and AI Malaysia, with the support of UTAR, Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), and Openmind. It was officiated by Malaysia’s Ministry of Digital.

The occasion commenced with an opening address by Tan Sri Nazir Razak, Chairman of ASEAN-BAC Malaysia, who underscored the importance of regional cooperation in shaping a robust, AI-driven future. This was followed by an introduction to the AI Malaysia initiative by Mr Goh Peng Ooi, founder of the Silverlake Group and a leading figure in Malaysia’s digital economy. In presenting AIM’s vision, Mr Goh emphasised the need for a collaborative ecosystem that integrates policy, academia, and enterprise to ensure that AI innovation remains inclusive and sustainable.

In his keynote address, YB Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital, articulated the government’s commitment to embedding AI into Malaysia’s digital and economic transformation. He highlighted the strategic importance of aligning national aspirations with regional and global advancements in AI.

A significant highlight of the morning was the keynote session titled The Future of AI, delivered by Prof Dr Richard Sutton, 2024 Turing Award Laureate and one of the founders of the Openmind Research Institute. The session was introduced and moderated by UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, whose stewardship underscored UTAR’s leadership in AI discourse. Prof Sutton’s presentation explored the frontiers of reinforcement learning, offering insights into the transformative potential of AI in real-world systems.

UTAR’s central involvement in the launch reflected its enduring commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration. As Malaysia positions itself as a regional AI leader, UTAR stands as a vital academic partner, driving knowledge creation and capacity building across disciplines.