Government Expands AI Development To Rural Areas To Improve Tech Literacy

KUANTAN, May 23 (Bernama) -- The government is expanding the development of artificial intelligence (AI) skills comprehensively so that it is not only concentrated in urban areas, but also involves residents in small towns and rural areas, Deputy Economy Minister Mohd Shahar Abdullah said.

He said AI skills development must involve all levels of society, including grassroots groups such as community leaders, small entrepreneurs, school students and university students.

“The government’s commitment through the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) is highly structured and focused to ensure that AI development does not only take place in major cities but also in small towns and especially in rural areas.

“The democratisation of AI values must encompass the entire spectrum of society, not only the educated community but also those on the ground,” he told reporters after officiating the AI MyMahir Tour programme, Paya Besar parliamentary constituencye edition, organised by Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad here today.

Mohd Shahar, who is also Paya Besar MP, said one of the focuses of the 13MP is to strengthen technology literacy to enable the country to shift from the concept of “Made In Malaysia” to “Made By Malaysia”.

According to him, to achieve that goal, all levels of society must understand and master technology literacy so that the country can produce more local creators, developers and technology leaders.

The programme, organised in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, brought together more than 400 participants from various segments of society, including university students, school students, teachers, entrepreneurs, housewives, women, Felda youths, local communities and members of the public.

The tour was previously held in eight parliamentary constituencies, namely Kota Kinabalu, Sepanggar, Papar, Bangi, Sungai Buloh, Kluang, Parit Sulong and Sekijang.

-- BERNAMA