Overview

In September 2024, the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) launched the National Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence Governance and Ethics (AIGE) as a strategic measure to ensure the safe, ethical, and responsible development and use of AI in Malaysia. This initiative is part of the National Artificial Intelligence Roadmap 2021-2025, focusing on AI leadership, cybersecurity, risk management, and impact assessment.

With the theme "AI for Malaysia, AI for All" AIGE aims to strengthen public trust, reduce ethical risks, and enhance AI adoption across various sectors. Although voluntary, these guidelines aim to benefit three main groups:

1. Public/Consumers – Raising awareness of rights and responsibilities in AI usage.
2. Policymakers and Developers – Serving as a guide in formulating AI-related policies and regulations.
3. Technology Developers and Providers – Ensuring AI development aligns with ethical principles.

AIGE aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) based on five National AI use cases namely agriculture & forestry, healthcare, smart cities & transportation, education, and public services which.

AIGE outlines seven core principles for responsible AI use, aligned with international guidelines from UNESCO, OECD, and the European Commission. The first principle, fairness, seeks to prevent bias and discrimination in AI applications. The second principle, reliability, safety, and control, ensures AI operates securely and responsibly. The third principle, privacy and data security, focuses on protecting personal information from misuse.

The fourth principle, inclusivity, promotes equal access and participation in AI development and usage, while transparency, the fifth principle, calls for clear explanations of AI processes and decision-making. The sixth principle, accountability, establishes responsibility for AI-generated outcomes. Lastly, the human benefit principle ensures AI is used for social well-being while preventing harm or misuse.