Malaysia deepens national AI partnership with Microsoft

As Microsoft Elevate empowers communities with AI skills, the government is now focused on ensuring the technology reaches the right people.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Digital and Microsoft today announced the launch of Microsoft Elevate, an expanded national AI capacity building initiative to strengthen Malaysia’s AI readiness, aligned with the country’s AI Nation 2030 ambitions.

As Malaysia moves towards its AI Nation 2030 ambitions, the country’s Ministry of Digital and Microsoft have launched Microsoft Elevate to strengthen the nation’s AI readiness. The global initiative by Microsoft aimed at empowering communities by providing AI skills, knowledge and tools to people and organizations, Microsoft Elevate is being rolled out in multiple markets across Southeast Asia and beyond, supporting governments and institutions in their AI journey.

The partnership will broaden the scope of Malaysia’s AI skilling agenda to include educators, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), retired servicemen and women, learning institutions, and members of the civil service. Delivered in partnership with the National AI Office (NAIO), Sekretariat Majlis TVET Negara alongside Biji-biji Initiative & Mereka, this initiative reflects a whole-of-nation commitment to ensuring every segment of Malaysian society is prepared for the AI era.

The pilot phase of the program was rolled out in January, with 80,000 learners successfully trained on the program. Skills enabled include understanding how they can best work with AI tools like Copilot to complete daily tasks in the various roles learners are in. The program builds on Microsoft’s aim to support the country’s AI journey by training up to 800,000 Malaysians through its AIForMYFuture initiative.

“As Malaysia accelerates its ambition to become a regional AI hub, building digital capabilities that reach every segment of our society is essential. Achieving meaningful, whole-of-nation progress will require strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. We welcome Microsoft Elevate, an initiative supported by NAIO and Sekretariat Majlis TVET Negara, and implemented by Biji-Biji Initiative & Mereka, to strengthen AI readiness and digital inclusion, ensuring Malaysians from all walks of life are ready to participate in an AI-driven future,” said Gobind Singh Deo, Malaysia’s Digital Minister.

Speaking to journalists later at the launch event, the minister said the important thing is to ensure that the technology reaches those who need help, or it will just end up a discussion.

“We know that there is a problem. We know that there is technology. We can form solutions that can be used but that do not reach the groups that need the technology. So, that is why the ministries asked for cooperation with the industry to ensure that while we need to figure out what problems we can solve using technology and we have formed the tools that can do that. Let us also make sure that the solutions reach the target groups that need the technology so that they can move away from previous problems and of course use technology to strengthen their businesses,” he said.

When asked how the government is ensuring there is sufficient infrastructure in place to ensure the program is successfully implemented, Deo said the ministry has focused on building infrastructure over the last two years.

“I think the figures speak for themselves. Now, the question is whether or not technology is reaching those groups that need those solutions. I think that is something that we are aware of. So, we are looking to specific requirements and trying to resolve it looking at different sectors individually and making sure that the push expands across the country but also looking at all layers that need technology to benefit themselves,” he added.

Dr. Jasmine Begum, General Manager, Legal & Government Affairs, Microsoft ASEAN shared that AI can only deliver real value when people across society understand how to use it meaningfully and responsibly in their everyday work and decision‑making. Technology is an enabler, while impact comes from how individuals, organizations, and institutions apply AI in ways that are practical, trusted, and relevant to real‑world needs.

“Microsoft Elevate is designed to build capabilities at scale; supporting communities, enterprises, and public sector institutions to adopt AI confidently and responsibly. Through these programs, we aim to ensure Malaysia’s AI ambitions are realized in a way that delivers long‑term impact, enabling more people to gain the skills, access, and support they need to thrive in the AI economy,” she said.