On October 1, 2024, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced Malaysia's plans to establish a national cloud policy and regulations for the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI).

The government aims to position Malaysia as a hub for generative AI, emphasizing the importance of investments from tech partners to develop secure digital infrastructure.

Google's investments are part of a broader trend by global tech firms in Malaysia, aimed at enhancing the performance and reliability of cloud and AI services to meet growing demand.

These digital investments have significantly boosted Malaysia's economy, leading to stronger performance of the ringgit against other currencies.

Such developments illustrate Big Tech's increasing involvement in Malaysia amid evolving regulations that could impact the tech industry.

Malaysia plans to establish a national AI office to coordinate initiatives and develop a regulatory framework for ethical AI adoption within the next year.

The national cloud policy will focus on fostering public service innovation, economic growth, user trust, data security, and digital inclusivity.

In addition, the government plans to introduce new laws to expedite redress for victims of online harm, including the establishment of a new agency to facilitate the removal of abusive content.

These regulatory efforts come in response to increased threats such as scams, cyberbullying, misinformation, and technology-induced isolation.

The 'AI for Fun' course will be introduced in schools to provide an engaging introduction to coding and AI, enhancing students' understanding of technology.

As part of the Smart Nation 2.0 initiative, the Singapore government has allocated S$120 million for AI research, aiming to develop strong local expertise.

The National Research Foundation will lead the AI research program in Singapore, providing financial backing for researchers and scientific experts.