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COMMENT by Dr Stephanie Hui-Wen Chuah

M ALAYSIA is striving to position itself as a leading AI nation by 2030, a key goal outlined in the upcoming National AI Action Plan 2026–2030 and the 13th Malaysia Plan. To support this vision, the government has allocated RM1.36 billion to the Digital Ministry under Budget 2026, a pivotal year in the country’s journey towards an AI-driven economy. The country’s AI strategy goes beyond technological deployment, aiming to build a holistic ecosystem that includes policy development, digital trust frameworks, infrastructure enhancement and sustainable investment. A range of initiatives to accelerate AI adoption is already underway – such as the development of a sovereign AI cloud, expansion of data centres, introduction of the Digital Trust and Data Security Strategy and programmes to upskill and support AI implementation across public and private sectors. Additionally, Malaysia launched Ilmu, the nation’s first fully homegrown large language model, at the Asean AI Summit in August this year. Collectively, these efforts are designed to strengthen Malaysia’s position as a regional hub for digital innovation and economic growth. As the digital landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, it is crucial to ensure that everyone progresses together. As Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo stated, “It is imperative that we bring AI to all sectors, reaching every segment of society. This is to ensure no one is left behind and that everyone benefits from this technological shift.” AI inclusion should involve all members of society, especially vulnerable communities, including those in rural areas, low-income groups and persons with disabilities (PwD) so they can reap the benefits of the digital economy. Malaysia is finalising its National AI Technology Action Plan, which provides a clear governance framework to guide AI development in a way that promotes not only efficiency but also ethics, equity and the public interest. During the United Nations Public Service Forum 2025 in June, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof highlighted that technology is not neutral and should be developed in a way that reflects the values and priorities of society. Every year on Dec 3, Malaysia would join the world in celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPwD). This year, the United Nations selected the theme “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress”. This theme highlights that true societal progress can only be

Towards an inclusive and equitable AI nation

achieved when PwD have equal opportunities to contribute, be heard and be valued. According to the Social Welfare Department, as of Sept 30, there were 798,215 registered PwD, representing about 2.32% of the Malaysian population, with around 50% of them of working age. However, PwD continue to face significant barriers to employment, including biases in recruitment and career advancement, limited access to decent work and fair wages, lack of access to training programmes and gaps in social protection. As of the second quarter of 2025, only 0.64% of employees in the civil service were persons with disabilities, far below the targeted 1% quota. In the private sector and education, PwD also encounter barriers such as inaccessible infrastructure and learning materials that are not adapted to their needs. However, AI has the potential to be a game changer for PwD. For those with hearing, speech or visual impairments, AI-powered tools such as real-time captioning, speech-to text and text-to-speech conversion and sign language interpretation can bridge communication barriers that were previously inaccessible. It also enhances mobility by helping individuals navigate and identify accessible routes independently. In education, AI ensures students with disabilities have equal access to learning resources. In the workplace, it can help reduce unconscious hiring biases by focusing on skills and qualifications rather than disability. AI is taking assistive technologies to the next level through improved functionality and customisation. For example, advanced assistive technologies are also supporting individuals with autism to gain confidence, independence and essential workplace skills. In Japan, the Nippon Foundation, in collaboration with Ory Laboratory and ANA Holdings, launched a café that allows PwD to serve customers remotely via robots, demonstrating the potential of AI to create a more inclusive workforce. Malaysia is expected to generate 300,000 to 500,000 new jobs in its AI talent ecosystem. But

In education, AI ensures students with disabilities have equal access to learning resources while in the workplace, it can help reduce unconscious hiring biases by focusing on skills and qualifications rather than disability. – REUTERSPIC

one question remains: Are PwD in Malaysia ready to seize these opportunities? To build an inclusive AI nation, Malaysia needs a comprehensive regulatory framework, robust policies and strong advocacy programmes. For instance, Socso and the Social Welfare Department can establish an “AI Assistive Technology Fund” to support low-income PwD. The government should consider a disability-inclusive AI Act, similar to the European Union’s approach. Such legislation would require AI systems in high-risk areas, such as recruitment, loan assessment and educational admissions, to meet accessibility standards. Engage PwD and their representative organisations throughout the design, development and testing process to ensure that AI meets real-world needs. AI ethics and non-discrimination regulations should also be strengthened, with mandatory audits of algorithms in high-risk areas to prevent bias against PwD. Government and relevant agencies can leverage AI to analyse PwD skill sets, facilitate job matching and create new employment opportunities. In workplaces and schools, these agencies, along with universities and tech

companies, should collaborate to provide AI skill-building workshops and training for PwD. Finally, financial aid, tax incentives or subsidies could support organisations that implement AI-assisted solutions, making workplaces more adaptable for PwD. While AI offers new hope for PwD, it also poses risks of unintentional bias and discrimination from historical data. To tackle these challenges, the government should mandate transparency from developers through algorithmic impact assessments and public reporting. Independent oversight bodies are also needed to monitor AI deployment, investigate discriminatory outcomes and enforce penalties when rights are violated. Building a more inclusive and equitable AI nation is no easy task; it requires coordinated action across government agencies, industry partners, academic institutions, civil society and the disabled community. Let us play our part in realising this shared goal. Dr Stephanie Hui-Wen Chuah is a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Management, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

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