Nurul Izzah Urges Coordinated Urban Governance To Tackle AI Ethics And Poverty Disparities

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- Growing risks posed by unregulated artificial intelligence (AI) and widening socioeconomic disparities require coordinated action by local authorities, the private sector and civil society organisations to ensure vulnerable urban communities are not left behind.

Suluh Centre executive chairman Nurul Izzah Anwar said challenges facing Southeast Asian cities have become increasingly complex, extending beyond poverty and unequal economic opportunities to include the influence of digital technologies, particularly on young people.

Speaking at the opening of the 3rd Southeast Asia Dialogue Cities Conference here today, she warned that the growing influence of AI and digital algorithms could expose vulnerable communities to new risks, including those affecting mental well-being and susceptibility to online scams.

"Whether we like it or not, our lives are governed by algorithms," she said, while questioning the ethical foundations of technology companies controlling these systems.

Nurul Izzah said the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI) is currently organising a survey involving young people living in People's Housing Programme (PPR) communities to examine the potential dangers of unrestricted AI.

Beyond technological challenges, Nurul Izzah said persistent income disparities and unequal access to economic opportunities remained major obstacles to building inclusive and resilient cities.

She cited a baseline study conducted by Think City in Permatang Pauh, which found that residents in Seberang Perai earned about one-third less than their counterparts on Penang Island, reflecting uneven economic development within the same state.

She stressed that addressing these inequalities required local authorities, government agencies and the private sector to coordinate their efforts, identify communities most in need and establish measurable targets.

Nurul Izzah said Malaysia already had extensive research and studies on urban challenges, but greater emphasis was needed on translating those findings into practical interventions that improved people's quality of life.

She said urban development must also take into account refugees, stateless individuals and other marginalised groups who may be overlooked in conventional development planning.

Drawing on her experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, she highlighted the crucial role played by civil society associations in delivering assistance to underserved communities, particularly those facing barriers to accessing formal support.

Meanwhile, ACCIN chief executive officer Mohd Jamaludin Shamsudin said the conference provided a platform for representatives of different faiths and communities to translate dialogue into practical cooperation.

"Cities are more than buildings, infrastructure, and technology. Their true strength lies in the people who live in them and in their ability to build trust, embrace diversity, and work together," he said.

The three-day conference, themed "Shared Futures: Dialogue for Resilient and Inclusive Cities", is jointly organised by the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) and the Allied Coordinating Council of Islamic NGOs Malaysia (ACCIN).

It brings together 65 community representatives, faith leaders, youth and women leaders from across Southeast Asia and is scheduled to conclude on Oct 28 with a set of joint action proposals for implementation in their respective cities.

-- BERNAMA