Lumi News Malaysia recently had an exclusive interview with Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) minister Chang Lih Kang.

During the interview, he shared his thoughts on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the Malaysian workforce.

Watch the full interview below:

According to Chang, one of the common misconceptions is that AI is out to take away people's jobs.

"Some people say, when AI comes in, their jobs will be taken over by AI. Well, right and wrong. While AI is taking over some of the labour-intensive jobs, AI is also creating demand for high-skill, high-value jobs," said Chang, giving the example of operating a farm with the help of AI.

"If you are operating a traditional farm, you might need 10 foreign workers. But if AI comes in, you only need one or two workers to manage the system," he added, citing the need for those in labour-intensive fields to upskill themselves in order to keep up with the demands of the evolving work landscape.

According to the MOSTI minister, AI is just an enabler, helping to enhance productivity, streamline processes, and support innovation. It is a tool meant to complement human skills, allowing us to be more efficient and make data-driven decisions.

"[In reality], you are losing to people who know how to use AI. So, why can't you become the person who knows how to use AI?" he said.

Chang also introduced one of the pilot programmes being run by the ministry, 'AI 4 Belia', which is an initiative to expose youths to the field and applications of AI.

"This is a new initiative, where we just did our pilot in Tanjong Malim," said Chang, indicating that the programme was met with good response.

Working together with the private sector, MOSTI hosted a half-day programme to expose the youth, or anak muda, to the various roles and use cases of AI.

"[We shared with them] what AI can do for them. People always hear about AI, but they don't know what AI actually is, especially for those in rural areas. So, we are trying to close the gap," he said.

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) is a key government ministry in Malaysia, focused on promoting research, development, and innovation to drive economic growth and technological advancement. Established in 1973, MOSTI has undergone several restructurings, most recently reverting to its original name in 2020 after being known as MESTECC. The current minister is Chang Lih Kang, appointed on December 3, 2022. MOSTI's mission includes enhancing national competitiveness through science and technology initiatives while ensuring environmental sustainability.

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