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The council, a joint effort by TalentCorp and MyDIGITAL, is set to help industries align AI skills development with real-world needs.
Malaysia is taking steps to prepare its workforce for an AI-driven future with the launch of the MyMahir National AI Council for Industry (MyMahir–NAICI), a collaborative initiative between Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp) under the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) and the National AI Office (NAIO) via MyDIGITAL Corporation (MyDIGITAL).
The council serves as a national platform to align AI talent development, test adoption strategies, and support implementation across multiple sectors.
The initiative was formalised during the council’s inaugural meeting on 23 May 2025, held in Petaling Jaya, which also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two agencies. The event was witnessed by YB Steven Sim Chee Keong, Minister of Human Resources (KESUMA), and YB Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital.
Speaking at the event, Minister Sim said: "The question is not whether AI will replace jobs, but whether we will empower Malaysians to evolve with it."
He further added that the council represents a whole-of-nation effort to align skills with strategy, technology with talent, and policy with purpose. The ultimate goal is to ensure that Malaysians are not just job-ready, but AI-ready.
Minister Gobind echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of connecting innovation to implementation: "While NAIO focuses on creating the demand and representing deployment, TalentCorp focuses on building the talent supply and MyMahir–NAICI completing the virtuous cycle by continuously feeding back for policy improvement."
A national structure to guide AI readiness
The council represents a formal three-year partnership centred on four strategic pillars:
- AI talent development
- Industry integration
- Policy and funding alignment
- Stakeholder governance
TalentCorp will lead as the council’s secretariat, while the NAIO will steer alignment with the national AI roadmap.
Supporting the council’s work are four key tools:
- The MyMahir Impact Study, which maps out job roles most at risk, emerging jobs, and identifies future skills needs.
- The MyMahir.my platform, to turn policy into tangible action.
- The G.I.A.T. Action Plan, a framework for collaboration across Government, Industry, Academia, and Training Providers.
- The AI Talent Framework, which defines the full learning journey from basic digital literacy to deep AI expertise.
Early findings from the Impact Study estimate that around 620,000 jobs, roughly 18% of formal sector employment could be significantly affected by AI in the next three to five years. Simultaneously, 60 new roles are emerging across AI, green technology, and other deep tech areas.
These insights will inform the council’s rollout of pilot programmes and skills development pathways, tailored by sector.
Tools for action, not just awareness
A major component of this initiative is the AI Readiness Index (AIRI), now integrated into the MyMahir.my platform. This tool allows companies to assess their AI preparedness and identify gaps, creating a direct link between national strategy and day-to-day business action.
Pilot use cases will be trialled through AI sandbox programmes, which will work with problem statements sourced directly from industries.
Thomas Mathew, Group CEO of TalentCorp, explained: "We’re linking strategy with execution, ensuring human capital policies are both agile and inclusive.”
Adrian Marcellus, CEO of MyDIGITAL, added: "NAIO will play a key role in shaping national workforce foresight and helping industry navigate the AI landscape."
Measuring progress and staying responsive
To ensure accountability, the AI Implementation Monitoring Unit (AI-IMU) has been established. This unit will track milestones, oversee delivery, and report on progress to the ministers and council members to improve sectoral workplans as needed.
The MyMahir–NAICI initiative supports Malaysia’s broader national priorities, including the Madani Economy, the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), and the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint.
Lead image / Provided
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