Kuala Lumpur (VNA)✃ – Malaysia has launched a series of initiatives aimed at accelerating regional AI collaboration, strengthening talent pipelines, and fostering responsible, inclusive innovation across Southeast Asia at the ASEAN AI Summit (AAIMS 25) on August 12.

The ASEAN Foundation, with support from Google, launched AI Class ASEAN, a free learning platform to equip communities with the skills to thrive in the AI era. By training 800,000 local leaders across all ten ASEAN member states, the programme will empower 5.5 million people, including 400,000 Malaysians, with practical AI literacy. MaiStorage, a subsidiary of Phison, is making AI affordable and accessible for all with its new AI computing-at-the-edge solution. Using aiDAPTIV+, Intel® Core® Ultra Processors, and Intel® Arc™ Graphics, the solution delivers AI power to laptops, PCs, and devices that schools, SMEs, and communities can use, without expensive servers or complex cloud systems. Huawei Technologies launched the APAC AI Ecosystem Initiative, a three-year plan to make Malaysia a regional hub for AI excellence. The programme will train 30,000 AI talents and support 200 local partners in creating innovative solutions. The Ministry of Digital is expected to launch the National Cloud Computing Policy (NCCP) on August 13, marking a milestone in Malaysia’s drive towards a sustainable, and secure digital ecosystem. The two-day AAIMS 25, a regional gathering marking a major step in Southeast Asia’s digital journey, opened in Malaysia on August 12. Held under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship and hosted by the Ministry of Digital with support from the National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO) and MyDIGITAL Corporation, the summit convenes more than 1,500 participants from across ASEAN. Themed ‘Driving Sustainable & Inclusive AI Development in ASEAN’, the summit brings together ASEAN ministers, regional policymakers, global technology leaders, entrepreneurs, youth change-makers, researchers, and civil society groups to advance a shared vision for AI that empowers people, builds trust, and uplifts communities. In his keynote address, Malaysia Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to shaping AI in line with regional values of equity, justice, and dignity, positioning AI not merely as a technological tool, but as a transformative force for inclusive growth./.