Malaysia’s ambition to become a regional leader in AI and semiconductor technologies made significant strides at the second day of the Selangor Smart City & Digital Economy Convention (SDEC) 2024, part of the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) and organised by Selangor Information Technology & Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec). Key announcements underscored the country’s commitment to digital innovation, including the rebranding of AI Nusantara to the Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia (ASEM)—a major expansion in efforts to cultivate world-class talent in both AI and semiconductor fields.
The official Day 2 ceremony of SDEC 2024 was officiated by Yang Berhormat Dato' Hajjah Hanifah Hajar Taib, Deputy Minister of Economy. Also present was YB Tuan Ng Sze Han, Selangor State Executive Councillor for Investment, Trade, and Mobility, who delivered opening remarks highlighting Selangor’s leadership in driving transformative industries such as AI and semiconductors. The ceremony featured a series of key announcements and initiatives aimed at strengthening Malaysia’s position in the global tech landscape.
A major highlight of the day was the official rebranding of AI Nusantara to the Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia (ASEM). This transformation marks a significant milestone in Malaysia’s efforts to build a robust talent pipeline in both AI and semiconductor technologies. ASEM will focus on developing world-class talent and providing industry-relevant education, preparing Malaysia for a digital future driven by semiconductors.
GEM Education announced a generous pledge to support RM100 million for ASEM, underscoring their commitment to Malaysia’s growing semiconductor ecosystem. This strategic investment is expected to significantly enhance Malaysia’s standing in the global semiconductor market and accelerate the development of cutting-edge talent and research.
Further solidifying Malaysia’s leadership in semiconductor innovation, ASEM signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and Letters of Intent (LOIs) with 19 esteemed partner universities. These agreements focus on collaboration in talent development, research exchanges, and joint projects, fostering a stronger connection between academia and industry.
The event also recognized the graduation of 30 lecturers who successfully completed the Train-the-Trainer (TTT) program. This program, run in collaboration with Sidec, The Hive Southeast Asia, and Taiwan AI Academy, has upskilled educators in semiconductor education, equipping them with the tools to nurture the next generation of tech professionals.
In addition, the day celebrated the success of 450 talents who completed specialised training under ASEM. These graduates, having completed courses in areas such as LLM Application Design, and Object Detection, are now equipped with the skills needed to thrive as future tech leaders in Malaysia’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
Meanwhile, a series of panel sessions took place throughout the day exploring transformative potential across industries. The session "Battle of the AI Minds: A Global Talent Competition”, moderated by Kamesh Raghavendra from The Hive and Dr. Ling-Jyh Chen from Taiwan AI Academy delves into the latest trends in AI, the techniques and approaches used by industry experts, and the potential of AI to shape the future of key sectors such as healthcare, finance, and energy.
In another key discussion, the Generative AI in the Cloud panel featured experts from AWS, SNS Network, and Exabytes, who shared insights on the rapid deployment of AI technologies via cloud infrastructure. Moderated by Denning Tan of GenAI Fund, the panel highlighted AI’s role in accelerating innovation across healthcare, smart mobility, and other key sectors.
The SDEC 2024 Exhibition has captivated attendees with its showcase of cutting-edge innovations, featuring a wide range of AI-powered technologies. With over 200 exhibitors from across the globe, the exhibition provides a platform for industry leaders, startups, and investors to network, form partnerships, and explore the latest technological advancements. As one of the convention’s key highlights, the exhibition is attracting substantial attention from both business leaders and tech enthusiasts eager to experience the future of AI, robotics, and digital transformation.
This content is provided by Sidec.
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