Technological Advancement Must Align With Character Building, Moral Values
KANGAR, July 29 (Bernama) -- The Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, has asserted that technological advancement must go hand in hand with the development of identity, moral values, and digital ethics.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the NextGen AiREd Fest 2025 today, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin emphasised that children who are well-versed in artificial intelligence must also uphold good character and a sense of responsibility.
The Raja Puan Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Dr Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil, was also in attendance.
Meanwhile, he said that cultivating AI technology and robotics at the grassroots level is a strategic long-term investment, expressing confidence that Perlis has the potential to produce world-class talent if such efforts are scaled up with the support of various stakeholders.
'I am incredibly proud and excited to see how the children of Perlis, from primary school to university level, are already showing the courage to explore technology and develop real-world solutions through artificial intelligence.
'NextGen AiREd Fest is not merely a platform for competition and talent showcase, but also a space to strengthen digital literacy, critical thinking, and the innovative capacity of the younger generation,' the Raja Muda said, while urging all parties, including the education sector, industry, and community, to work together in nurturing interest, creating opportunities, and paving the way for the youth of Perlis to explore future-forward fields.
Meanwhile, according to a statement by the event organiser, Faizuddin Centre of Educational Excellence (FCoEE), the two-day programme is a strategic initiative that brings together students from the AiREd and Junior AiREd Clubs in a prestigious state-level festival focused on technology and innovation.
It said both clubs are exclusive platforms that introduce primary and secondary school students to current technological fields such as robotics, programming, and artificial intelligence in a systematic and structured manner.
'This programme is designed to meet the needs and aspirations of 21st Century Education and is aligned with the national STEM Education Policy (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) as well as the National Digital Education Action Plan.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
21 hours ago
- Malay Mail
US government turmoil stalls thousands of export approvals, sources say
NEW YORK, Aug 2 — Thousands of license applications by US companies to export goods and technology around the globe, including to China, are in limbo because turmoil at the agency in charge of approving them has left it nearly paralysed, two sources said. While US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has become a familiar face touting President Donald Trump's tariff and trade deals, sources said the export bureau under Lutnick's command has failed to issue expected new rules, stifled communications with industry representatives, pushed out experts, and lost staff through buyouts and resignations. Shipments of artificial intelligence chips from Nvidia to China are the most high-profile example of licenses not being swiftly approved. The company said July 14 the government assured it licenses would be granted for its H20 chip, and it hoped to start deliveries soon. Lutnick and other officials confirmed sales would be allowed. But sources said this week no licenses have yet been issued, and billions of dollars of AI chip orders are at stake. One US official said the backlog of license applications is the lengthiest in more than three decades. A spokesperson for Nvidia declined to comment. The Commerce Department defended its licensing practices, saying its Bureau of Industry and Security 'will no longer rubber-stamp license applications that raise grave questions of national security,' a spokesperson said. 'BIS is driving forward President Trump's agenda through strong rules and aggressive enforcement,' the person added. The turmoil and resulting inaction at an agency tasked with promoting overseas trade and safeguarding American technology are alarming both those seeking tougher restrictions on exports to China and companies trying to sell their wares abroad. 'Licensing is how the US does business and competes globally,' said Meghan Harris, who served on the National Security Council in the first Trump administration and has worked at Commerce. 'Delays and unpredictability put us at an unnecessary disadvantage.' BIS averaged 38 days per export license application in fiscal year 2023, the most recent data available, denying 2 per cent of 37,943 applications. The license process enforces US export restrictions in an effort to make sure sensitive goods and technology do not reach countries or entities whose use of the items could harm US national security. Some staff have criticised Jeffrey Kessler, who became BIS undersecretary in March, saying he has micromanaged the bureau and failed to communicate adequately. At a staff meeting soon after he took office, Kessler urged BIS staff to limit communications with company representatives and industry officials, according to two additional sources, who said he later asked for all meetings to be entered on a spreadsheet. Getting approval from Kessler's office to attend meetings with other government agencies has also been tricky, those sources said, speaking anonymously because they were not authorised to speak publicly. The BIS spokesperson said Kessler 'is restoring integrity' to the bureau and enjoys Lutnick's 'full confidence.' Frustration among exporters Frustration is growing within US industry. 'We're seeing whole sectors where there is no movement or indication if or when licenses will be issued,' including license applications for semiconductor manufacturing equipment worth billions of dollars, said Sean Stein, president of the US-China Business Council. While the clock is ticking on license applications, 'Chinese companies are exploring and doing deals with suppliers in China and other countries,' he said. 'The longer we have the delay, the more market share we're going to lose.' Jim Anzalone, president of Compliance Assurance, a Florida-based trade consultancy, said he has seen delays in license approvals for sensors, radars, and sonar to Latin America and other parts of the world. 'There's nothing official about what the policy is and when the backlog would be cleared,' he said. He has received denials sporadically after submitting some two dozen applications months ago to export semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China, including four denials on Wednesday, he added. Sources stressed that some licenses are getting approved, especially exports to allied countries, and they noted that some communication with companies continues, especially around license applications. Commerce is also delaying regulatory changes. The agency said in May it would rescind and replace a Biden administration rule before it went into effect that month restricting where AI chips can be exported, but the agency has not done so yet. Other rules, which sources said have been drafted for months, have not been published, including one to expand export restrictions to subsidiaries of companies already banned from receiving controlled US exports. Meanwhile, important staff vacancies such as China-based export control officers have not been filled, and high-level career employees have resigned. A retirement party was held this week for Dan Clutch, acting director of the BIS Office of Export Enforcement, the latest experienced staff member to leave. — Reuters
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Borneo Post
How AI will change all our lives forever
AI is already enabling personalised treatments, aiding in predictive diagnostics and improving patient care, and will see further inroads made in disease prevention and treatments. — Photo from ARTIFICIAL Intelligence (AI) has arrived in full force and will impact our future, transforming industries, the job market and our daily lives in ways that we haven't even thought of. The exciting possibilities that it poses challenge our imagination and give us hope for so many positive outcomes – in the fields of increased productivity, personalised healthcare and other innovative solutions. At the same time, AI has also raised our concerns about job displacement, data privacy and many ethical considerations. AI's integration into the various sectors of human endeavour, from manufacturing to finance, is already reshaping the way we work and live. Its continued development and presence (many call it 'intrusion') into our daily lives will require extremely careful management so that humans remain its masters to harness its myriad benefits and at the same time, mitigate its many potential risks and dangers. How will AI affect our future? AI-powered automation has already been used to streamline processes in various industries which has led to increased productivity and efficiency. In return, we have had reduced human errors and in cases of emergencies, autobots have been able to work around the clock without any breaks in between. The downside? Automation has meant the loss of jobs that previously were handled by humans. A drastic reduction in manpower needs spell doom for fast growing populations, especially those in India, China, and many Third World countries. There are five areas where I personally feel that AI will impact in a most positive way. They are revolutionising healthcare; transforming transportation; advancing agriculture; modernising finance; and reshaping retail trade. AI is already enabling personalised treatments, aiding in predictive diagnostics and improving patient care, and will see further inroads made in disease prevention and treatments. It is also driving improvements in autonomous vehicles, optimising traffic flow and advancing logistics in ways both accurately and expeditiously. In agriculture, AI has made strides in improving crop yields, managed environmental impact and optimized resource utilisation. It has also assisted in rendering ideas and statistical solutions for humans to further explore the new possibilities on gainful production systems. AI's use in the world of finance has assisted in fraud detection, algorithmic trading and in personalised financial advice. However, in this field, it has its detractors who feel that AI is also capable of intruding too much into our personal data and thus, the 'invasion of privacy' issue is still being hotly debated. Finally, in the field of retail trade, AI has been responsible for optimising e-commerce platforms, improving customer service and offering highly personalized shopping experiences. With the fast-growing trade online with speedy deliveries to homes and offices, this has meant more efficient systems and a faster delivery time frame for both supplier and customer. What about the impact of AI on the job market? Bill Gates was famously quoted having said in March this year (Source: CNBC) that most jobs would vanish in the 'Age of AI', but there would be three professions left that would outlast the machines: coders, energy experts and biologists; 'fields that demand creativity, real world problem-solving, and ethical judgement – all the key factors that AI is not able to fully replicate'. Gates continued to add that AI too would replace many doctors and teachers, and that humans would not be needed for most things! Geoffrey Hinton, one of the most respected minds in AI and often called the 'Godfather of AI', in a recent interview, had also sounded the alarm. Hinton said that AI could begin rewriting its own code within the next five years, and when that happened, it would become increasingly difficult for humans to understand, manage or control what these systems would be doing, or why they would be doing it. Scary, isn't it? As AI becomes more autonomous and capable of modifying itself, the risks multiply, from runaway learning systems to the development of goals misaligned with our human values and ethics. In the meantime, AI-powered automation will likely replace workers in routine and repetitive jobs, requiring a shift towards more creative and analytical roles. Individuals will need to adapt to the changing job market by acquiring new skills and embracing lifelong learning. Of most serious concern are the ethical and societal implications of what AI can do and will most likely be used for extensively – that of data privacy, security and regulation. All AI systems rely heavily or almost entirely on vast amounts of data, raising concerns about data privacy and security. There is also the fear that with AI algorithms, societal or guided biases input if aimed at biased targets can lead to unfair, discriminatory and even fatal outcomes. It is, therefore, crucial to develop and deploy AI systems responsibly, and for all users and those in positions to wield commands over them, to fully consider all these ethical implications to ensure fairness, balance and transparency. As AI becomes more pervasive by the day, it is up to our governments and organisations to establish appropriate regulations and governance frameworks to ensure its safe and ethical use. As the 'Godfather of AI, Hinton stresses the gravity of the urgent need for international cooperation and ethical safeguards. He has called for a global ban on autonomous AI weapons and a code of conduct to ensure that AI could not be exploited to spread misinformation, manipulate populations or develop dangerous levels of autonomy. AI, per se, holds immense potential to transform our future for the better, the greater good, but it also presents humankind significant challenges that require proactive management. We must address all the ethical concerns while fostering responsible development as we prepare our workforce for the changing landscape. With the right approach and a balanced mindset, we can use and harness the limitless power of AI to help us create a more prosperous, equitable, peaceful and harmonious future for us all. May God help us all if a day comes when the machines take total control. Amen. * The opinions expressed in this article are the columnist's own and do not reflect the view of the newspaper.
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Daily Express
1.2 million jobs via TVET, digital econ
Published on: Friday, August 01, 2025 Published on: Fri, Aug 01, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Kuala Lumpur: The government will introduce the Perkasa Madani TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Financing Scheme and the TVET Training Fund to encourage youth participation. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) with the theme 'Redesigning' at the Dewan Rakyat, said that the TVET programme would also be expanded to tahfiz students to produce Madani huffaz technocrats with added value in technical expertise. The government, he said, will also expand the TVET curriculum to include the field of ageing with special incentives for students undergoing industrial training. 'TVET programmes are gaining popularity. In 2024 alone, 212,000 new admissions into TVET programmes were recorded,' he said, adding that the Madani TVET programme will be strengthened to increase the mastery of skills that can generate higher income, including for tahfiz and huffaz students. 'At the same time, the level of TVET certification will be increased by introducing three new levels of expertise, six to eight, to be equivalent to the level of higher education qualifications under the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF). This effort aims to recognise high skills in technical fields and expand career paths, in line with market needs,' said the prime minister. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said TVET graduates are also enjoying increasingly competitive incomes, most of which exceeded the minimum wage of RM1,700. 'About 95.6 per cent of TVET graduates are able to secure employment within six months of completing their training,' he said. He said the close collaboration between TVET institutions and industry would serve as a catalyst for technological transfer and skills enhancement in line with initiatives by the Ministry of Higher Education. 'The structure of TVET programme offerings will be re-strategised with a focus on high-growth, high-value (HGHV) and advanced technology-based industries. 'This is in line with labour market demands and strategic industry needs such as in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park (KIGIP) project and the Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP),' he said. He said the government is targetting the creation of 700,000 new job opportunities in the manufacturing sector and another 500,000 career creations in the digital economy during the 13MP period. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
