Malaysia Targets Up to 500,000 New Jobs Under National AI Action Plan 2030

Kuala Lumpur, The Gulf Observer: Malaysia is planning to generate between 300,000 and 500,000 new jobs as part of a nationwide effort to strengthen its artificial intelligence (AI) talent ecosystem, Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad told the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.

He said the job-creation target is a core component of the National AI Action Plan 2030, which is currently being drafted by the Digital Ministry to support Malaysia’s ambition of becoming an “AI Nation” and a regional AI hub within the next five years.

The initiative aligns with the 13th Malaysia Plan’s objective of enhancing talent development across priority sectors, he added.

According to Abdul Rahman, several strategies are being implemented to improve workforce capabilities and retain local talent, particularly in AI-related fields. Central to these efforts is the establishment of the MyMahir National AI Council for Industry (MyMahir-NAICI), a collaborative platform involving TalentCorp, the National AI Office and MyDigital.

Supported by a RM3 billion reskilling fund, the council aims to fast-track workforce transformation and streamline national AI talent development.

He noted that the MyMahir.my platform provides comprehensive resources on job roles, skills requirements and training opportunities for Malaysians preparing for future workforce demands, especially in AI and green technology sectors. “It is accessible to students as young as 15, jobseekers, training institutions and employers,” he said.

Integrated into the same platform is the AI Readiness Index (Airi), helping companies assess their preparedness for AI adoption, identify capability gaps and chart their digital transformation plans.

Abdul Rahman further highlighted that nearly 800,000 Malaysians are expected to benefit from the “AI for MY Future” programme — a joint initiative between the National AI Office and Microsoft — offering AI training modules and guided learning pathways.

Malaysia’s broader push toward becoming a leading AI-driven economy is guided by the vision of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who aims to position the country among the world’s top 20 AI nations by 2030.

He emphasised that the Human Resources Ministry is committed to ensuring that the transition to AI and green technologies enhances job quality and creates new high-skilled opportunities without displacing existing workers or accelerating talent migration.

“With a coordinated approach, Malaysia’s workforce will be able to transition strategically into future jobs, keeping local talent relevant and contributing to the nation’s aspiration to rank among the world’s top 20 AI economies by 2030,” he said.