The Malaysian government aims to promote the adoption of AI to benefit our economy and society. At the same time, the development and deployment of AI technologies bring about ethical, legal, and societal risks that we must address head-on.
Thus, the topic "Should Malaysia Embrace an Internationally-Aligned Approach to AI Governance?" comes at an opportune time as the Malaysian government and many governments worldwide grapple with the question of AI governance.
“At the Ministry of Digital, we are committed to fostering an ecosystem that promotes innovation and adoption of AI while ensuring that it is safe for all users. To achieve this, we are focusing on three key enablers of the AI age: digital infrastructure, governance, and talent,” said YB Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital.
Recently, a group of young Malaysians participated in the Youth Parliamentary Debathon, an event that encourages them to consider topical issues from the perspective of an MP. In addition to providing interesting viewpoints, the debate also demonstrated the complexity of multi-layered issues, and the need for deep understanding of these issues to support robust and informed policy-making.
It was truly momentous to see youths aged 16 to 25 exchange their views on the topic, along with cabinet ministers who shared their wisdom with these aspiring activists and potential lawmakers. This motion was chaired by Associate Professor Dr. Farhad Nadi, The School of Information Technology, UNITAR International University.
From the government bench, Nasiruddin Hanif said that Malaysia aims to be a significant player on the international stage, a major stakeholder in AI development and could even seek to export its AI services to other countries.
“Global alignment in AI governance will increase confidence among Malaysians, as universally accepted guidelines are seen as more credible and objective. This approach enhances adherence, simplifies trade and regulation, and ensures the effectiveness of AI governance through widespread awareness and use,” he said.
The opposition's Sarah Farhana countered by questioning the practicality of selling AI to other countries. She highlighted the need to consider trade and economic regulations, as well as the preferences of international consumers, challenging the notion that international trade would be easier.
“Before Malaysia attempts to export its AI services, the country must first build a strong reputation for AI development. This involves focusing on a locally aligned approach, leveraging local talent to ensure competitiveness, before pursuing global cooperation and international markets,” said Sarah who took home the trophy as best speaker.
Sovereignty and Customisation
Mahdiyen Nafiz from the opposition took a view that adopting globally aligned AI governance approaches, such as the Hiroshima AI process, has considerations relevant to the exercise of Malaysia's sovereignty. Concepts such as data privacy, security, ethical standards, and regulatory frameworks are frameworks that support good AI governance and Malaysia's current needs and challenges in relation to these areas are relevant considerations to also assess.
From the government bench, Johan Iskandar countered that while Malaysia is adopting an internationally aligned approach, does not imply neglect of the domestic market. Malaysia can influence international norms and standards by participating in global AI governance, ensuring they reflect its interests and values. This participation could also facilitate access to global resources, knowledge, and partnerships, enhancing national capabilities in AI development.
YB Gobind Singh commended both benches on their opinions, noting that it was an interesting session with insightful perspectives. The discussion focused on the need to adopt an approach for formulating governance or reviewing existing structures to guide AI legislation. It highlighted the pros and cons of both approaches. Ultimately, legislation and governance will vary by country, making it crucial to consider each nation's specific needs. Now is the time to turn this debate into actionable steps.
"The energy and passion displayed were remarkable. With the young generation of debaters on board, we are in good hands for the future. I found myself agreeing and nodding to both sides. While we need to have localised governance on AI, we must ensure that we are adopting best practices and aligning with international and global governance structures. This is essential because the world is now borderless, and we need to achieve inter-country interoperability,” said Ellina Roslan, Acting CEO and Senior Director of MyDIGITAL Corporation & MYCentre4IR.
Adilah Junid, Director of Legal & Government Affairs at Microsoft Malaysia, praised the participants for standing up for their convictions and engaging in an excellent debate. She noted, "Towards the end, you were converging on a position, and that's not a bad thing. Sometimes, the position you converge on might be the best one. If we can set aside the idea of 'I win, you lose,' we can come together for a truly strong position. This will require us to work together collaboratively."
Co-hosted by Malaysiakini and KiniEvents, this marks the fifth year of the Youth Parliamentary Debathon.
This session is brought to you by our partners which are: Our Collaborative Partner, Microsoft Malaysia, Venue Partner: UNITAR International University, Soft Skills Training Partner: Malaysian Institute for Debate and Public Speaking (MIDP), Co-Partner: Institute for Research & Development of Policy (IRDP), UNITEN, and Uniten Debate & Oratory Society.
As we consider the future of AI in Malaysia, we want to hear from you: Should Malaysia embrace an internationally-aligned approach to AI governance?
If you missed viewing the parliamentary simulation, you can watch the replay HERE.
