Technology · Malaysia Bureau
Anwar urges Muslim world to engage with artificial intelligence challenges
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for greater Muslim engagement with emerging artificial intelligence technologies, warning that failing to understand new innovations could leave the Islamic world dependent on others.
LSN Malaysia ·
Anwar Ibrahim stressed the importance of Muslims gaining competency in artificial intelligence and related technologies to avoid becoming reliant on external actors for critical innovations.
The Prime Minister's remarks underscore growing concerns across the Muslim-majority Asia-Pacific region about the need for technological self-sufficiency and digital literacy. Anwar's position reflects broader efforts by Malaysia and other regional governments to position themselves as active participants in the global technology ecosystem rather than passive consumers.
The call comes as artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries and economies worldwide, with implications for workforce development, governance, and social policy. Muslim-majority nations face particular pressure to develop indigenous expertise in AI development and deployment to ensure technologies align with local values and needs.
Anwar's intervention suggests the Malaysian government views technological literacy as essential for national competitiveness and regional influence. By encouraging deeper Muslim engagement with AI, he appears to be signalling that technological advancement and religious considerations are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary priorities in the modern era.
The remarks align with Malaysia's broader digital transformation agenda and reflect international discussions about ensuring equitable access to and understanding of transformative technologies across diverse global populations.