MIDA, Intel team up to boost AI knowledge of future workforce, SMEs

MIDA, Intel team up to boost AI knowledge of future workforce, SMEs

27 Oct 2021

The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) is partnering with Intel Malaysia to implement a programme for selected local universities to prepare a future-ready workforce in artificial intelligence (AI) for entry-level careers while saving employers’ time and resources for basic AI training and skilling.

The agency said this will be patterned after the Artificial Intelligence for SMEs (AI4S) programme that they, along with the Malaysia Productivity Corporation, organised on Wednesday for the second time.

The Virtual AI4S Enhanced Programme was a continuation of the first AI4S event held in January this year where Intel Malaysia awarded AI starter kits to 100 selected Malaysian companies.

“Today’s AI4S Enhanced Programme saw Intel Malaysia commit to handing out a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) card to the participating companies, which is a powerful tool that enables the AI kit to be five times more powerful than the existing kit,” MIDA said in a statement.

These identified small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are currently going through a comprehensive technological enablement process and training to empower them in implementing pilot projects in their business or operation setting to jump-start the AI or Industry 4.0 journey.

MIDA chief executive officer Arham Abdul Rahman encouraged other multinational companies (MNCs) to follow Intel’s footsteps in contributing back to the nation’s industrial ecosystem and increase the capabilities of domestic companies while at the same time enhancing the MNCs’ value proposition.

He noted that the AI features can assist to automate routine tasks, augment employees’ capabilities and allow time for them to focus on more stimulating and higher value-adding work.

“If automation is widely adopted, AI could potentially create six million new jobs by 2030 in Malaysia with new skills and long-term workforce training will be high in demand. Therefore, it is important for the government to intervene in overcoming challenges faced by the local companies in adopting AI, especially in getting the right expertise and managing financing needs,” he said.

In line with the government’s commitment, MIDA seeks industry leaders and players to leverage the facilitation by the government under the Industry4WRD initiative, he said.

Source: Bernama