Malaysia's AI development to incorporate ethical considerations, risk mitigation

KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia seeks to incorporate ethical guidelines to its artificial intelligence (AI) development pathways as it seeks to mitigate the potential risks of the emerging sector, a Malaysian official said on Thursday.

Among the major concerns of misuse of AI is the potential for AI-driven misinformation campaigns that pose significant threats to public discourse and political stability, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Chang Lih Kang said in a statement.

"As AI permeates sectors like healthcare, transportation, and public safety, the governance of its influence becomes critically important. It's about more than just adherence to high standards -- it's about actively fostering an understanding and dialogue on how AI technologies should be responsibly harnessed," he said.

Chang noted that the development of AI Governance and Ethics (AIGE) is a starting point for institutionalizing responsible AI with several initiatives being developed such as measuring the responsible AI principles, risk and compliance of the AI ethics with existing laws and regulations and developing specific AI guides and ethics for sectoral use.

These, he asserted, will guide Malaysia's policymaking in ensuring the proper use of AI without stifling the huge potential it has for shaping various aspects of society and driving the country's economic and development goals.

"By involving human oversight in the initial phases of AI implementation, we aim to curate data with accuracy and integrity. This approach is designed to build AI systems that are not only effective but also equitable and just," he said.

"As we contemplate AI's role in our future, it's clear that this is not a journey we can undertake alone. It requires a collective effort from all stakeholders to shape an AI-enhanced world that respects human dignity and promotes societal well-being," he added.