George Town, Malaysia, 11 August 2026 – Malaysia is sharpening its focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics talent as artificial intelligence reshapes employment and raises the competitive threshold for its semiconductor industry. The policy direction is intended to move the country from hosting production capacity towards creating locally owned technology and intellectual property.
Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said emerging technologies are changing business operations and increasing the urgency of preparing young Malaysians for high-growth industries. Global labour-market projections indicate that 170 million jobs could be created by 2030 while 92 million may be displaced, illustrating both the scale of opportunity and the adjustment required. About 86% of employers expect AI and data technologies to transform their operations.
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