Latest news with #MyMahir
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
AI puts 600,000 jobs at risk but opens new roles, says Malaysia's HR minister
Malaysia's job landscape is undergoing a major transformation as artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates across industries, according to Human Resources Minister Steven Sim. Speaking at the 52nd ARTDO International Conference , Sim said AI could unlock thousands of new employment opportunities, with over 60 emerging job roles already identified, 70% of them in the AI and tech sector. A recent ministry-commissioned study revealed that 600,000 existing jobs are "at risk" due to AI, though not necessarily lost. 'Some may become obsolete, but most will be reshaped, demanding urgent reskilling and upskilling,' Sim said. He urged a shift from 'worry to strategy,' stressing that Malaysia must equip its workforce with AI-ready skills. New job roles such as prompt engineers are emerging, requiring not just technical expertise but also oversight of AI-generated outputs. Sim emphasised two key skill pillars: high-level AI proficiency for managing or developing AI systems, and broad AI literacy for everyday users. To support this, the MyMahir portal is helping Malaysians align their training with future-ready skills. Sim also highlighted the need for clear ethical and legal frameworks to guide AI's development responsibly. 'This is not just about technology, it's about values, regulation, and inclusive growth,' he concluded, reinforcing the ministry's commitment to balancing innovation with workforce readiness.
Malaysian Reserve
14 hours ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Sim: AI creates, not replaces jobs in Malaysia
by SHAUQI WAHAB ARTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) is not taking jobs away from Malaysians but instead is transforming the job market by introducing new roles and reshaping existing ones, according to Human Resources Minister Steven Sim. Speaking after officiating the 52nd ARTDO International Conference, he said the public must move past the misconception that AI will lead to widespread job losses. 'We must move away from the fear that AI is here to take away jobs. AI is transforming jobs, not eliminating them. Those who adapt and upskill will find more opportunities, not fewer,' he said. Sim highlighted findings from a national labour market study commissioned by his ministry late last year. The study, which gathered input from key industry players across 10 major economic sectors, revealed that up to 60% of employers believe AI will create new job opportunities — especially in roles that require advanced digital skills. 'AI is changing how we work, not eliminating the need for work itself. The question is not whether AI will take over, but whether we are preparing Malaysians to work with AI,' he added. In response to these changes, the ministry has stepped up efforts to boost upskilling and reskilling through platforms like MyMahir, a national skills-matching portal. Over 33 government-run industrial training institutes, along with private sector training providers, are now offering courses in AI and digital literacy. These courses are designed to prepare workers for an increasingly automated economy, equipping them with the skills needed to shift into higher-value roles. 'AI literacy must become mainstream. Not everyone will become an AI engineer, but basic familiarity with how AI works will soon be essential across nearly every profession,' he said. Sim also stressed the importance of embedding AI ethics and governance in public education. He said the ministry is committed to ensuring AI is deployed responsibly, not just effectively. During the recent National Training Week, between 40% and 50% of the courses included AI components, covering not only technical training but also modules on ethical use, data protection and digital responsibility. 'We want Malaysians to not only use AI but to use it responsibly. We are building not just a skilled workforce but a trusted digital society,' he added.
New Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Sim: AI will redefine, not replace jobs
GEORGE TOWN: Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming Malaysia's job landscape by creating new roles and redefining existing ones, rather than replacing human workers. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said as Malaysia accelerated its transition into a digital economy, the public must shed the fear that AI would lead to job losses. "We must move away from the fear that AI is here to take away jobs. AI is transforming jobs, not eliminating them. Those who adapt and upskill will find more opportunities, not fewer," he said after the launch of the 52nd ARTDO International Conference. Sim said a national labour market study commissioned by his ministry late last year revealed that up to 60 per cent of employers across 10 key economic sectors expected AI to lead to job creation, particularly in areas requiring advanced digital skills. The study, incorporating extensive input from industry stakeholders, is now guiding national workforce readiness policy. "AI is changing how we work, not eliminating the need for work itself. The question is not whether AI will take over, but whether we are preparing Malaysians to work with AI." He said the ministry was actively responding to these changes by boosting training and upskilling initiatives through platforms such as MyMahir, a national skills-matching portal. He said under the ministry's initiative, more than 33 government-run industrial training institutes and private providers were offering AI and digital literacy courses. He said these courses were aimed at equipping the workforce with relevant competencies in an increasingly automated landscape. "With the right upskilling, workers can transition into higher-value roles rather than being displaced. AI literacy must become mainstream. "Not everyone will become an AI engineer, but basic familiarity with how AI works will soon be essential across nearly every profession." He said his ministry was working to integrate AI ethics and governance into public awareness, recognising that responsible deployment was just as important as technical know-how. During the recent National Training Week, between 40 and 50 per cent of offerings had AI components, including modules on ethical usage, data protection and digital responsibility. "We want Malaysians to not only use AI but to use it responsibly. We are building not just a skilled workforce but a trusted digital society," said Sim.
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
AI will reshape Malaysia's job market, says Human Resources Minister
Human Resources Minister Steven Sim. – Bernama GEORGE TOWN: Artificial Intelligence (AI) will reshape Malaysia's job market and create thousands of new opportunities, says Human Resources Minister Steven Sim. He said AI would not replace workers but instead create new roles and redefine existing ones in the country's job landscape. "We have to move on from what I call 'worry to strategy'. "The way forward is to ensure that our workers are equipped with the right skills to adapt to the changes in current and future economic trends. "As Malaysia accelerates its transition into a digital economy, people should shed the fear that AI will lead to widespread job losses," he told reporters after launching the 52nd ARTDO International conference held at the Eastern and Oriental Hotel in George Town on Monday (July 28). Sim was referring to a study commissioned by his ministry on the impact of AI and digitalisation in Malaysia, which revealed that 600,000 existing jobs are "at risk". He said the evidence shows that AI would transform jobs, not eliminate them. "Those who adapt and upskill will find more opportunities, not fewer," he said. Sim said a national labour market study by his ministry revealed that up to 60% of employers across 10 key economic sectors expect AI to lead to job creation, especially in roles needing advanced digital skills. "The study, which included extensive inputs from industry stakeholders, is now sharing national policy on workforce readiness. "AI is changing how we work, not eliminating the need for work. "The question is not whether AI will take over, but whether we are preparing Malaysians to work with AI," he said. When asked by the press to elaborate on the new job opportunities created by AI, Sim said new roles like "prompt engineers" is an emerging opportunity. "We still need someone to input data into the AI and someone still needs to check the feedback produced by AI. "The ministry is actively responding to these changes by expanding training and upskilling initiatives through platforms such as MyMahir, a national skills-matching portal," he said. He said under the ministry's initiative, over 33 government-run industrial training institutes and various private providers were now offering AI and digital literacy courses. "These courses are aimed at equipping the workforce with relevant competencies in an increasingly automated landscape. "With the right upskilling, workers can transition into higher-value roles rather than being displaced. "AI literacy must become mainstream. Not everyone will become an AI engineer, but basic familiarity with how AI works will soon be essential across nearly every profession," he said. Sim said his ministry is working to integrate AI ethics and governance into public awareness, recognising that responsible deployment was just as important as technical know-how. "During the recent National Training Week, between 40% and 50% of offerings had AI components, including modules on ethical usage, data protection and digital responsibility. "We want Malaysians to not only use AI but to use it responsibly. "Understanding the social, legal and moral implications of AI is a national priority. "We are building not just a skilled workforce, but a trusted digital society," he said.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
AI will not replace jobs, but redefine them
GEORGE TOWN: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not the threat to employment it is often made out to be, instead, it is rapidly transforming Malaysia's job landscape — not by replacing human workers, but by creating new roles and redefining existing ones. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said that as Malaysia accelerates its transition into a digital economy, the public must shed the fear that AI will lead to widespread job losses. "We must move away from the fear that AI is here to take away jobs. "The evidence shows that AI is transforming jobs, not eliminating them. Those who adapt and upskill will find more opportunities, not fewer," he told newsmen here after the launch of the 52nd ARTDO International Conference. Elaborating, Sim said a national labour market study commissioned by his ministry late last year revealed that up to 60 per cent of employers across 10 key economic sectors expected AI to lead to job creation, particularly in areas requiring advanced digital skills. The study, which included extensive inputs from industry stakeholders, is now informing national policy on workforce readiness. "AI is changing how we work, not eliminating the need for work itself. "The question is not whether AI will take over, but whether we are preparing Malaysians to work with AI," he added. Sim said the ministry was actively responding to these changes by expanding training and upskilling initiatives through platforms such as MyMahir, a national skills-matching portal. He said under the ministry's initiative, over 33 government-run industrial training institutes and various private providers were now offering AI and digital literacy courses. He said these courses are aimed at equipping the workforce with relevant competencies in an increasingly automated landscape. "With the right upskilling, workers can transition into higher-value roles rather than being displaced. "AI literacy must become mainstream. Not everyone will become an AI engineer, but basic familiarity with how AI works will soon be essential across nearly every profession," he said. He also said that his ministry was working to integrate AI ethics and governance into public awareness, recognising that responsible deployment was just as important as technical know-how. During the recent National Training Week, between 40 and 50 per cent of offerings had AI components, including modules on ethical usage, data protection and digital responsibility. "We want Malaysians to not only use AI but to use it responsibly. "Understanding the social, legal and moral implications of AI is a national priority. We are building not just a skilled workforce, but a trusted digital society," he said.
