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Wednesday, 28 October 2026

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Malaysia’s AI Skills Gap Widens as 69% of Employers Struggle to Find Job-Ready Graduates, Pearson-AWS Study Finds

A new Pearson-AWS study reveals a growing mismatch between Malaysian graduates’ confidence and employer expectations, with 69% of businesses reporting difficulties finding appropriately skilled talent.

By Bernard Lee8 min read

Kuala Lumpur, 28 October 2026 – Malaysia’s ambition to become an artificial intelligence (AI) nation by 2030 faces a significant workforce challenge, with 69% of Malaysian employers reporting difficulty finding graduates with the right skills, according to a new study jointly launched by Pearson and Amazon Web Services (AWS) on Wednesday. The report, AI Readiness: Building the Bridge from Higher Education to Work in Malaysia, also found that 77% of Malaysian learners believe they are ready to enter the workforce, highlighting a gap between graduate confidence and employer expectations.

For Malaysian businesses, universities and policymakers, the findings raise questions about whether the country’s education system is keeping pace with the practical demands of AI adoption. While students and educators are increasingly familiar with AI technologies, employers are looking for graduates who can apply those tools to real business problems, exercise sound judgement and work effectively with others. Closing that gap will be important as Malaysia pursues its National AI Action Plan 2026–2030 and seeks to develop a workforce capable of supporting higher-value industries.

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Author

  • Bernard Lee

    Bernard is a social activist dedicated to championing community empowerment, equality, and social justice. With a strong voice on issues affecting grassroots communities, he brings insightful perspectives shaped by on-the-ground advocacy and public engagement. As a columnist for The Ledger Asia, Bernard writes thought-provoking pieces that challenge norms, highlight untold stories, and inspire conversations aimed at building a more inclusive and equitable society.