Technology Must Not Outpace Public Servants’ Readiness To Change – PSD

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- Technological advances, including artificial intelligence (AI), should not outpace public servants’ readiness to adapt to change to the extent that their mental well-being and human values in the workplace are compromised.

Public Service Department (PSD) deputy director-general (Development) Datuk Dr Mohd Bakhari Ismail said the rapid development of digital technology required public servants not only to upgrade their skills but also to manage stress wisely, safeguard information confidentiality and maintain good relationships with colleagues.

He said that while technology could improve the efficiency of government service delivery, empathy, ethics and psychological well-being must not be overlooked in efforts to accelerate the public sector’s digital transformation.

“Do not let technology move faster than our readiness to change. Instead, be individuals who can lead technological change with values, ethics and humanity,” he said in a statement here today in conjunction with the opening of the 2026 National Public Service Peer Support Convention (AKRAB).

The two-day convention, which begins today, brings together more than 400 AKRAB members from ministries, departments and government agencies nationwide to strengthen their role as a psychological support system for public servants.

Themed ‘AKRAB Leading Change in the Digital Era’, with the slogan ‘Ethical Digitalisation, Protected Mental Well-being’, the convention also focuses on emerging challenges such as information overload, the spread of fake news, security threats, data privacy and stress arising from the uncontrolled use of technology.

In a related development, the AKRAB Strategic Plan 2026-2030 was launched to strengthen members’ competencies, improve the effectiveness of support services and expand strategic cooperation networks among government agencies.

Meanwhile, National AKRAB Council (MAK) president Mohd Afendi Ya@Zakaria said digital transformation required not only technological proficiency but also the wisdom to understand people’s needs as they navigated changes in the workplace.

He said AKRAB members must continue to help colleagues manage stress, adapt to change and build psychological resilience, as well as provide early support and refer them to professionals when necessary.

He added that the use of digital platforms for psychological support services must also retain elements of empathy, listening skills, confidentiality and the human touch.

The convention also features sharing sessions with the 2026 AKRAB Award winners, the AKRABSihat Town Hall and AKRAB Borak Cakna (ABC), as well as the formulation of resolutions to strengthen AKRAB’s role in creating a healthier, more inclusive and supportive public sector workplace.

-- BERNAMA