How Malaysia Plans to Lead the Region in AI Governance and Ethics by 2024

Malaysia is one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to develop a code of ethics and governance for artificial intelligence (AI), which will form the basis of AI regulation in the country. 

The code of ethics and governance is expected to be ready by next year, and will be aligned with the Seven Principles of Responsible AI, which are a guideline for the development of trusted and responsible AI that can protect the rights and privacy of individuals.

The code of ethics and governance is being developed by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, representatives of government agencies, higher education institutions, and industry players. 

The minister of MOSTI, Chang Lih Kang, said that the code of ethics and governance was needed to ensure the responsible and trustworthy use of AI in Malaysia, as AI was a complex technology that involved various aspects such as technical, legal, ethical, policy, and standards.

Creating the Framework

In addition to the code of ethics and governance, MOSTI is also examining the need to create a legal framework and the AI Act, which will complement the code of ethics and governance and provide more clarity and certainty for the AI industry and users. Chang said that relying solely on legal aspects in the regulation and monitoring of AI would slow down the innovation of this technology, and that the use of standards and legislation were complementary to each other.

Keep Reading

To come up with national AI standards, the Malaysian Standards Department (JSM) has established a National Mirror Committee, which is chaired by MIMOS, the applied research and development centre under MOSTI, and comprised of representatives from the ministry, agencies, academia, and industry players. The committee will follow the international standards and best practices for AI, and adapt them to the local context and needs.

Leading the Region

By developing a code of ethics and governance and a legal framework for AI, Malaysia aims to position itself as a leader in the region for AI innovation and adoption. Chang said that AI was a strategic technology that could drive the country’s economic growth and social development, and that Malaysia had the potential to become a hub for AI talent and solutions.

He also said that Malaysia was committed to collaborating with other countries and organizations in the region and beyond, to share experiences and insights on AI governance and ethics, and to foster a culture of trust and confidence among the public and the users of AI. He said that by establishing a clear and consistent framework for AI, Malaysia hoped to attract more investments and partnerships in the field of AI, and to leverage the potential of AI for the benefit of society and the economy.

Jasmine C.

Mabuhay! An upcoming Newswriter for the Asian Affairs from the Pearl of the Orient - Philippines. Avid follower of celebrity gossips, fashion news. I got into writing so that my fellow Kababayan will be constantly updated with the latest news.

Recent Posts

Malaysia Job Market 2025–26: High-Demand Jobs, Salaries, and Career Opportunities

The future of Malaysia job market 2025-26 has high opportunities of the skilled professionals who are willing to extend their…

December 13, 2025

Mexico Gives Green Light to Steep Tariffs on Chinese and Foreign Goods

Mexico has accepted a new wave of steep tariffs on Chinese and other foreign goods, which is a big change…

December 13, 2025

Japan’s Growing Dementia Crisis and the High-Tech Race to Protect Its Elderly

Japan has a rapidly growing population with in excess of 28 per cent of its citizens being over the age…

December 13, 2025

Malaysia’s First Large-Scale Battery Storage System Inaugurated in Sabah, Borneo

With this clean-energy move, Malaysia has thus made a historic breakthrough as it is witnessed with the opening of the…

December 12, 2025

Endangered No More? World’s Rarest Ape Faces Extinction After Floods in Sumatra

Sumatra, which has a lot of different kinds of plants and animals and is famous for its beautiful jungles and…

December 12, 2025

Sri Lanka’s Tea Heartland in Ruins After Ditwah’s Fury

Sri Lanka's famous tea-growing area was devastated when Cyclone Ditwah went through the central highlands, destroying farms and forcing thousands…

December 12, 2025

This website uses cookies.

Read More