National AI Office Institutionalised as AI Malaysia Berhad and National AI Action Plan 2026-2030 Launched

On 28 July 2026, AI Malaysia Berhad (“AIMB”) was launched as Malaysia’s national artificial intelligence (“AI”) lead agency under the Ministry of Digital, formally institutionalising the National AI Office (“NAIO”).
 
NAIO, established on 12 December 2024, had operated as the Government’s coordinating office for AI, incubated under MyDigital Corporation. Its transition into AIMB confers a permanent institutional structure, broader responsibilities and a mandate to implement the national AI agenda across ministries, agencies and other stakeholders. Where NAIO’s work was directed principally at policy formulation, AIMB’s remit extends to coordinating implementation across the public sector and industry.
 
The following are AIMB’s Six Strategic Functions1
  • Strategy, Policy & Foresight: Shaping Malaysia’s long term AI direction through an evidence-led approach. 
  • National AI Implementation: Driving and coordinating the National AI Action Plan 2026–2030 across ministries, industries and strategic sectors. 
  • Trusted AI Governance: Strengthening governance, safety, trust and assurance to ensure responsible AI adoption. 
  • Partnerships & International Cooperation: Collaborating strategically with government, industry, academia, ASEAN and international counterparts. 
  • AI Capability Development: Developing talent, AI literacy, ecosystem capabilities and national readiness. 
  • Malaysia AI Safety Institute (MY-AISafe): Advancing AI safety, evaluation, standards and technical assurance. 
On the same day, the National AI Action Plan 2026-2030 was unveiled and sets out national priorities towards the development of a sustainable AI ecosystem in Malaysia and achieving the nation’s aspiration to become a regional digital technology hub and a producer of globally competitive Made by Malaysia AI products and services by 2030. The National AI Action Plan 2026-2030 can be accessed here.
 
 
For further information, please contact Charmayne Ong (Partner), Natalie Lim (Partner) and Jillian Chia (Partner) of the Technology, Media and Telecommunications Practice of Skrine.
 
 

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