HONG KONG, Aug 20 — Picture waking up to find your kopi-o already brewing because your artificial intelligence (AI) assistant knows you had a late night.
HONG KONG, Aug 20 — Picture waking up to find your kopi-o already brewing because your artificial intelligence (AI) assistant knows you had a late night.
It has booked your e-hailing ride, reminded you to top up your e-wallet, and suggested carrying an umbrella as rain clouds gather over Bangsar.
AI is no longer just a buzzword. Across Asia, it is already part of daily life — while Malaysia is only beginning to catch up.
At its core, AI refers to computer systems that perform tasks requiring human intelligence — such as understanding language, recognising images, solving problems, and learning from data. Unlike traditional software, it can adapt, identify patterns, and make predictions quickly and accurately.
In Malaysia, AI is already at work behind the scenes. E-commerce platforms use it to recommend products and time flash sales, banking apps detect unusual spending and categorise expenses, ride-hailing platforms adjust fares based on demand, and Rapid KL relies on AI to optimise bus routes. Still, Malaysia lags behind its Asian neighbours.
Recently, Malay Mail joined Asean journalists on a visit to Hong Kong and Shenzhen to see how AI is shaping city life.
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, AI plays an active role in daily operations.
The MTR uses real-time sensors and algorithms to manage crowd flow and train frequency.
Government services employ AI chatbots for tax and permit applications in multiple languages.
Watsons uses AI-powered mirrors to analyse skin and recommend products.
Hospitals rely on AI to pre-screen chest X-rays, freeing doctors for complex cases.
The Legislative Council (LegCo) deploys AI to transcribe and summarise debates.
Among the most widely used tools is iFLYTEK, a China-based AI platform supporting 60 languages for text translation and 15 for real-time speech-to-speech or live transcription.
Shenzhen
Across the border in Shenzhen, one of the clearest applications of AI is in traffic control.
Once a fishing village, the city now runs a high-tech traffic management system developed with Huawei in 2019. Built on an ultra-broadband network that processes 40 times more data than conventional systems, it combines surveillance with AI to detect fake plates, scrapped vehicles, and violations in real time.
China
China has embedded AI across industries:
Healthcare: Platforms like InferVision detect early signs of lung cancer.
Agriculture: AI tracks soil, pests, and weather to improve yields, including in Maoming’s lychee industry.
Education: The Squirrel AI platform tailors lessons to each student in real time.
Malaysia’s Path
Malaysia’s National AI Roadmap focuses on preparing the workforce through upskilling and ethical adoption.
From 2027, AI basics will be introduced in schools, supported by 10,000 smartboards and dropout-risk pilot projects.
In classrooms, AI helps teachers generate summaries for parents and highlight struggling students.
In offices, it supports translations, document drafting, and grammar checks.
In tourism, it could guide visitors to halal food, recommend local dishes, or provide flood alerts.
Experts emphasise that AI is not about replacing jobs but amplifying human capabilities.
AI is already part of Malaysians’ routines — from shopping and transport to education and workplaces. The challenge lies not in resisting it but in preparing to use it wisely.
For Malaysia, the future may be as personal as brewing your morning kopi-o and as public as streamlining government services — a digital assistant designed to make life smoother, wherever you are.
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