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AI is reshaping Malaysia. In this debut, host Adrian Chew and guest speakers explore readiness, trust and talent — and what the next five years could bring.
In this episode of the Sembang AI podcast series, host Adrian Chew speaks with Joazral Yusof and Low Choy Huat from EY Malaysia. They explore Malaysia’s readiness for the AI era and the importance of trust, governance, and responsible adoption. The guests also look into how the National AI Action Plan will shape sectors, talent, and opportunities over the next five years.
Key takeaways:
Malaysia is entering the AI era, raising important questions of national readiness across individuals, businesses, and government.
Trust, governance, and responsible adoption are critical, with privacy, transparency, and ethics forming the guardrails for sustainable AI use.
The National AI Action Plan provides a five-year roadmap, prioritizing high-impact sectors, nurturing talent, and driving technology adoption at scale.
Malaysia’s young, dynamic workforce — with over 70% made up of Gen Z and millennials — is a key enabler for accelerating AI-driven growth.
Emerging jobs, such as drone operators and live commerce hosts, reflect how AI is already reshaping the job market and creating new opportunities.
Businesses must integrate AI into daily operations thoughtfully, balancing efficiency and innovation while ensuring trust and security for stakeholders.
Welcome to Sembang AI, where we discuss everything and anything about artificial intelligence.
My name is Adrian Chew, Malaysia AI, Data and Technology Consulting Leader; and Partner, Ernst & Young Consulting Sdn. Bhd. This is a special episode for us at the debut of the Sembang AI podcast.
Today, we dive into this topic of artificial intelligence. It’s not just a tool for innovation, but a powerful catalyst to transform Malaysia.
Selamat Hari Malaysia. Our country has just turned 62 years old, and now we are entering into the AI era.
Today I have with me Joazral and Choy Huat, where we are going to discuss: What does this mean for Malaysia? Are we ready, as Malaysians, to embark on the AI era?
For the next five years, we have our National AI Action Plan. Choy Huat, what do you think? Are we, as Malaysians, ready to enter the AI era?
Low Choy Huat
I believe we are ready to take this on. Malaysia is all about passion. With a very young workforce — more than 70% of our population being Gen Z and millennials — the energy we have will help us use AI in a meaningful way. And with support from the government and businesses, we can do this.
Adrian Chew
Jo, you interact quite a bit with the business environment here in Malaysia. What about businesses? Are they ready for AI?
Joazral Yusof
In terms of adoption, everyone is exploring and embarking on their journey. Some are figuring out how they can make AI relevant to them because, as with any technology, it has to be fit for purpose. But there’s acknowledgment, from the board level down to management, that this is critical. They need to start looking at it to see how it disrupts their business and how it can work for them.
I was reading an MIT article that says 95% of GenAI projects fail, and only 5% of them succeed. That’s a staggering statistic despite all that’s been said about AI.
Low Choy Huat
As much as AI is a technology, thinking of it only as technology can become a barrier. The secret is to make AI part of our daily lives, so when we apply it at work, it becomes easier and simpler. We also need to build trust, ensure data is correct, and keep usage secure. By and large, it’s a matter of mindset — and getting the mindset right is critical for leaders today.
Adrian Chew
You mentioned trust. There was also an EY Sentiment Survey which found that while 80% of people are using AI, only 53% are comfortable using it. Trust, privacy, and control are top concerns. Jo, what are your thoughts?
Joazral Yusof
Similar to all technologies, it’s important that we use AI responsibly. Companies need to establish guiding principles: privacy in how data is captured and secured, ethical use to prevent bias, and transparency in decision-making. Boards and management have a key role in setting these guardrails.
Adrian Chew
So what more can organizations do to set those guardrails?
Joazral Yusof
In other jurisdictions, regulations and guidelines on AI governance are more established. Companies should make their adoption principles transparent, communicate them clearly, and ensure awareness across all levels — from the board to management to working teams.
Adrian Chew
What role does the human play in the AI era, if machines are taking over tasks and decisions?
Low Choy Huat
There’s still a lot humans can do. With AI, we can make decisions better and free up headspace for creativity, problem-solving, and more meaningful work. Those who get left behind will be those who don’t use AI while competitors do. The future is about humans and AI working together.
Adrian Chew
Malaysia also has a National AI Action Plan for the next five years. It prioritizes high-potential sectors, emphasizes talent development, and places strong focus on governance and responsible AI. It’s a whole-of-nation approach where government, public sector, and private sector all play their roles.
We also have a National AI Governance and Ethics Framework, which includes principles like “pursuit of human benefits and happiness.” This reminds us that any AI we build should benefit humans and society at large, and be used responsibly and ethically.
From today’s discussion, it’s clear we need to look at AI holistically. It’s not just about technology; it’s about people, trust, and responsible adoption. Humans play a big role in shaping outcomes, and governance provides the foundation for success.
This is just the first episode of our Sembang AI series. In upcoming episodes, we’ll explore AI governance, talent, and sector-specific applications in greater depth.
Thank you, Joazral and Choy Huat, for joining me today. And thank you for tuning in. Stay tuned for the next episode of Sembang AI.
