KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia 12 August, 2025 — Malaysia launched the ASEAN AI Malaysia Summit 2025 (AAIMS25) on Tuesday, a pivotal event aimed at shaping a responsible and inclusive AI-driven future for Southeast Asia. Hosted under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship by the Ministry of Digital, with support from the National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO) and MyDIGITAL Corporation, the two-day summit at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) drew over 1,500 participants, including ASEAN ministers, tech leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, and youth advocates.
Under the theme “Driving Sustainable & Inclusive AI Development in ASEAN,” the summit fosters collaboration to advance AI that empowers communities, builds trust, and aligns with regional values. The event features ministerial roundtables, panel discussions, interactive forums, the ASEAN AI Trade Show, and the Malaysia AI Super Booth.
Prime Minister’s Vision for AI Leadership
In his keynote, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized AI as a transformative force for equitable growth. “Our vision must be to harness AI not simply to catch up with the rest of the world, but to lead it, offering a model of innovation grounded in trust, rooted in equity, and proudly shaped by Southeast Asian values,” he said. He stressed that AI’s success lies in uplifting lives sustainably and justly.
The summit coincides with the recent unveiling of the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026-2030), which positions digital transformation as a cornerstone of national development. Central to this is the AI Nation Framework, built on five pillars: progressive AI policies, talent development, robust digital infrastructure, enhanced trust, and strategic investments, all aligned with the MADANI vision for economic and social progress.
Anwar also showcased ILMU, Malaysia’s first homegrown large language model, developed by YTL AI Labs and Universiti Malaya. Designed with local expertise and cultural nuance, ILMU addresses needs in education, healthcare, and public services, reflecting Malaysia’s diverse identity.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo highlighted ASEAN unity in his opening remarks: “The challenges and opportunities of AI are too great for any one nation to navigate alone, but together, ASEAN can chart a path that reflects our values and aspirations.”
Key Announcements and Collaborations
The summit served as a platform for major initiatives to boost regional AI development. The ASEAN Foundation, with Google’s support, launched AI Class ASEAN, a free platform to train 800,000 community leaders across ASEAN, empowering 5.5 million people, including 400,000 Malaysians, with AI literacy and ethical engagement.
AMD introduced its Developer Cloud, offering 100,000 GPU hours to Malaysian researchers to advance AI innovation using its CPUs, GPUs, and open ROCm platform. MaiStorage, a Phison subsidiary, unveiled an affordable edge-computing AI solution powered by Intel, enabling schools and small businesses to leverage AI without costly infrastructure.
Huawei announced a three-year APAC AI Ecosystem Initiative to train 30,000 AI professionals in Malaysia and support 200 local partners, positioning the country as a regional AI hub.
National Cloud Policy Launch
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Digital will launch the National Cloud Computing Policy (NCCP) at 8:30 AM, a milestone to foster a secure, innovative, and resilient digital economy through a Cloud-First approach.
Strategic Partnerships
AAIMS25 was supported by YTL Power (Title Sponsor), Huawei (Innovation Partner), Inspur and VCI Global (Platinum Partners), and TM (Strategic Partner), reflecting a shared commitment to a values-driven AI future for ASEAN.
The summit, running through August 13, features over 100 speakers, technical showcases, youth tracks, and policy forums. For details, visit www.aseanaimalaysia.my.
