29/03/2026

ON SUNDAY March 29, 2026 II theSunday Special

Smart living, Malaysian style

Farah’s fridge, in fact, is part of her AI ecosystem. It tracks food expiry dates, sends reminders to her phone and even auto-generates a grocery list. “It feels like having a digital kitchen assistant,” she laughed. “I save time, waste less food and spend more moments actually eating together as a family.” Her husband recently introduced her to a voice-controlled vacuum cleaner and an AI energy monitor that helps track electricity usage. “ %HIRUH , WKRXJKW $, ZDV RQO\ IRU techies. Now I see it’s really just about making life smoother,” she admitted. The university student who studies with chatbots When Daniel Wong, 21, first heard about ChatGPT, he thought it was MXVW D IDQF\ *RRJOH VHDUFK %XW DIWHU experimenting with AI tools during his second year at university, he realised they could change the way he learn. “I use ChatGPT and Notion AI for brainstorming essays and XQGHUVWDQGLQJ GL̇ FXOW WRSLFV ´ said Wong, who studies political science. “It’s like having a 24-hour tu tor who doesn’t judge your dumb questions.” He’s careful, however, not to over-rely on AI. “I don’t let it write my

% eyond studying, Wong also uses Per SOH[LW\ $, WR FRPSDUH GDWD DFURVV GL̆ HUHQW news sources. “I can fact-check quickly, which is really helpful for academic writing,” he said. For him, AI isn’t replacing learning – it’s enhancing it. “It’s not about being lazy; it’s about learning smarter,” he added. The freelance designer who found her creative edge As a freelance graphic designer, Aina Hashim, 31, used to spend hours sketch ing logo concepts by hand. Now, she uses AI image generators like Midjourney DQG )LUHÀ\ WR VSHHG XS KHU ZRUNÀRZ without compromising creativity. “ :KHQ , ¿UVW WULHG 0LGMRXUQH\ , was amazed. It helped me visualise abstract ideas that I couldn’t easily draw,” Aina shared. “It doesn’t replace my creativity – it enhances it.” She says AI has also levelled the SOD\LQJ ¿HOG IRU IUHHODQFHUV “Clients now expect faster turn around times and with AI, I can deliver GUDIWV PRUH Ḣ FLHQWO\ ´ VKH VDLG Still, Aina believes in maintaining the human touch. “The magic happens when you combine human intuition with AI precision. The emotion, the story – that’s something no algorithm can replicate,” she emphasised. Aina also teaches free online workshops for young Malaysian creatives curious about using AI ethically. “AI is a tool, not a threat. We just need to learn how to use it responsibly.”

A RTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) isn’t just powering self-driving cars or chatbots anymore – it’s quietly shaping the way Ma laysians live, work and even connect. From simplifying household chores to transforming creative expres sion, AI has become more than a tech buzzword; it’s a tool of empowerment. According to a 2024 survey by Micro soft and LinkedIn, 77% of professionals in Malaysia already use AI at work, while 68% say it helps them save at least two hours a day. Yet, beyond the corporate sphere, AI is steadily weaving into the everyday fabric of Malaysian life – some times in surprising ways. H HUH¶V KRZ VL[ 0DOD\VLDQV IURP GL̆ HU ent walks of life are embracing AI – each in their own unique style. The homemaker who runs a smarter kitchen Farah Rahim, 39, describes herself as “not a tech person,” but her daily routine WHOOV D GL̆ HUHQW VWRU\ %HWZHHQ MXJJOLQJ her children’s schedules and managing a bustling household, she relies on AI powered apps to streamline her day. “I used to spend hours meal-planning every week. Now I use an app called ChefGPT, which suggests recipes based on whatever’s in my fridge,” Farah said. How Malaysians are using AI differently to make daily life smarter and easier BY DAYANA SOBRI

assignments. I use it to generate ideas, outlines or sum maries,” he explained. “It helps me under stand complex readings faster, especially when I’m preparing for ex ams.”

For Farah, she uses AI-powered apps to plan meals, track groceries and save time for family moments.