KUCHING – A pilot initiative titled AI for MY Future, launched in Petra Jaya in collaboration with Microsoft Malaysia and the Petra Jaya Parliamentary Service Centre, is empowering local leaders and changemakers with artificial intelligence (AI) skills to enhance community development and governance.
Deputy Prime Minister and Petra Jaya MP Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof said the programme, hosted at CENTEXS Sarawak, involves 108 participants including grassroots leaders, educators, entrepreneurs and NGO representatives.
“We want them to apply AI to simplify tasks—from drafting documents and analysing data to efficiently retrieving community information,” said Dato Sri Fadillah during his visit on Saturday.
The initiative was sparked by a courtesy visit from Microsoft to the Malaysian Parliament, where the potential of AI in local governance was discussed.
Fadillah explained that by mastering tools like ChatGPT and other AI applications, participants could improve service delivery in their communities—particularly in areas where support staff is limited.
“The goal is not just exposure, but empowerment. We hope to produce a network of local digital trainers who can help spread this knowledge deeper into rural communities,” he said.
The programme also aims to improve data collection and analysis at the grassroots level, allowing for targeted aid distribution and informed planning in education, healthcare, and welfare.
“When data is better organised, resources can be allocated more accurately, and the impact is maximised,” he explained.
If successful, the pilot will be expanded to rural areas, where digital transformation can significantly bridge the service gap and improve lives.
Microsoft is expected to present a comprehensive report on the outcomes, offering insights for further enhancement and possible nationwide expansion.
