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Showing posts with label AI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AI. Show all posts

Monday, August 25, 2025

AI and job transformation in Malaysia: What's next?

 

Experts share that the impact of AI may be more nuanced than just simply replacing people at work. — This visual is human-created, AI-aided

In a discussion on an online forum, a freelance translator in Malaysia believes that he has fewer job opportunities now due to clients turning to AI.

Another individual in the same discussion claims that he was laid off due to his stance against using AI tools in the company.

In a separate conversation, a designer questioned whether he should resign as a sign of protest against his company’s increasing reliance on AI to generate content. Meanwhile, another user who handles accounting tasks at work says AI is taking over his role after the company adopted a new AI-powered processing system. He claims that the system has led to some colleagues being laid off and those who remain will be required to verify the work performed by AI.

In the comments section, other users have advised him to look for a new job elsewhere as he risks being replaced completely, or start showing more productivity in other aspects of his current work that cannot be done by AI.

These conversations found online reflect a growing concern among Malaysian workers as AI tools become a part of work.

Staying ahead

According to an Ipsos AI Monitor 2025 survey involving 500 Malaysian adults, 63% fear AI’s potential to replace their ­current job within the next three to five years.

“The fear of being replaced by AI is very real, and it’s completely valid,” says Edvance CEO Razin Rozman.

Fahad encourages employees to experiment with various generative AI tools to discover how they can boost productivity at work. — Randstad MalaysiaFahad encourages employees to experiment with various generative AI tools to discover how they can boost productivity at work. — Randstad Malaysia

Randstad Malaysia country director Fahad Naeem says findings from his company’s Malaysia Employer Brand research, which surveyed 2,588 respondents, show that 5% now expect to lose their jobs due to AI.

“Despite this, the overall sentiment towards AI remains largely positive, as 48% of Malaysian workers said that AI has improved their job satisfaction this year,” adds Fahad.

According to NTT Data CEO Henrick Choo, the best way to navigate the fear of being replaced by AI is to embrace lifelong learning and adaptability. He says that he has seen employees transition from traditional support roles to newly-created positions in AI operations, product testing and customer success – often within just a few months.

“Focus on roles that rely on uniquely human skills like ­empathy, decision-making, ­critical thinking, and creativity which are areas where AI still lags behind,” says Choo in a statement to LifestyleTech.

His advice to individuals would be to start investing in digital ­fluency by learning to work alongside AI tools, adding that they should embrace continuous learning and stay updated on the latest tools, trends as well as ­governance practices.

“AI is not here to replace ­people, but to augment their capabilities. The most successful professionals will be those who understand how to leverage AI tools while asking the right ­questions about data ownership, ethical use, and value distribution,” adds Choo.

Razin shares that individuals who have successfully adapted to the rise of AI often share key qua­­lities such as adaptability, curiosity, and a mindset geared toward continuous learning. He also believes that basic AI literacy is becoming essential in the work place regardless of whether an employee is in a technical role.

Razin says those who have ­successfully adapted to the rise of AI usually have a mindset geared toward continuous learning. — EdvanceRazin says those who have ­successfully adapted to the rise of AI usually have a mindset geared toward continuous learning. — Edvance

“We’ve seen many success stories, people who were once in roles like administrative support or basic data entry, who, through upskilling, moved into project management, digital marketing, or even junior AI operations roles.

“What helped them stand out was the learning itself and the mindset shift. They saw AI not as the end of their role, but the begin­­ning of a new one,” says Razin.

As for Fahad, he encourages employees to experiment with various generative AI tools to ­discover how they can boost ­productivity at work. He says exposure and experiences can help employees gain a deeper understanding of AI’s potential and limitations to anticipate how their roles might change.

“With the increasing integration of AI, talent should discuss with their managers how their career pathway may change. This involves identifying areas for deepening specialisation, mapping out training opportunities and having a pulse on how job responsibilities may evolve with increasing digital and AI disruption,” adds Fahad.

Fahad says the company’s 2025 Workmonitor report involving 503 res­­pon­­dents in Malaysia shows that 53% of talents trust their employers to invest and provide opportunities for continuous learning particularly in AI and technology. He adds that 56% of responders trust their ­employers to be transparent about business decisions that will impact their role.

“It is clear that while employers are excited about rolling out AI-powered tools and solutions, they should also be transparent and forthright about how AI will transform the company’s operations and processes, and more importantly, how it will impact the employees’ job security and career prospects,” says Fahad.

Redefining work roles

Experts share that the impact of AI may be more nuanced than just simply replacing people at work.

“Yes, we are definitely seeing AI reshape job functions in Malaysia though it’s less about outright replacement and more about redefinition,” says Choo.

Choo says the next five to 10 years will mark the rise of ‘hybrid intelligence’ where humans and AI collaborate as equal partners. — NTT DataChoo says the next five to 10 years will mark the rise of ‘hybrid intelligence’ where humans and AI collaborate as equal partners. — NTT Data

Razin shares a similar sentiment, where he says the company is also starting to see signs of generative AI changing the shape of the labour market in Malaysia.

“At this moment in time, we’re witnessing more of its impact on job transformation than full-on replacement,” he says.

Razin adds that repetitive or process-driven roles are being ­partially replaced or heavily ­supported by AI tools. He cites examples like some companies turning to AI to automate customer service by using chatbots or to perform document sorting or data entry.

According to Choo, Gen-AI ­powered chatbots and voicebots are now able to handle “up to 90% of fact-based customer ­service queries”, reducing the need for large call centre teams.

Razin adds that his company is also seeing ­changes in sectors like marketing, finance, education and tech services.

“These industries are adopting generative AI to speed up ­routine work, which means job scopes are evolving,” says Razin, adding that some local banks have ­started automating things like loan processing and ­compliance checks.

“So, rather than cutting jobs, they’re moving people into new roles that focus on oversight and analysis,” says Razin.

A 2024 national study by TalentCorp reveals that around 620,000 jobs – equivalent to 18% of formal sector roles in Malaysia – are expected to be significantly impacted by AI, digitalisation, and the green economy within the next three to five years.

The 72-page report highlights 14 roles including incident investigator, cloud administrator, and applications support engineer as among those on the High Impact list. It also listed 51 roles on the Medium Impact list such as IT audit manager, ­customer ­experience manager and data centre operations ­engineer.

In an article published by the World Economic Forum in June, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim highlights the report’s findings and says: “Workers ­currently in these roles require cross-skilling, upskilling or even reskilling.”

Why AI?

The machine may be better than people for specific tasks at work. Fahad says AI-based ­solutions are capable of ­processing large volumes of data and look at established ­patterns or past history to ­perform ­repetitive tasks. The key here, he says, is that AI is able to do so with better accuracy and consistency.

“These tools are highly applicable in tasks that require ­standardisation, speed, and scale. AI systems can also ­operate round-the-clock, which increases outcomes and greatly reduces time and cost,” Fahad adds.

According to an Ipsos AI Monitor 2025 survey involving 500 Malaysian adults, 63% fear AI’s potential to replace their ­current job within the next three to five years. — This visual is human-created, AI-aidedAccording to an Ipsos AI Monitor 2025 survey involving 500 Malaysian adults, 63% fear AI’s potential to replace their ­current job within the next three to five years. — This visual is human-created, AI-aided

Choo explains that tasks that would normally take human teams days to do – such as fraud detection, code generation or content summarisation – can now be completed by AI in a shorter amount of time.

“Generative AI, in particular, is a strong performer when applied to structured domains: drafting documents, generating marketing visuals and videos, producing basic code, and ­summarising reports,” Choo says, adding that these tools operate best when provided with clear inputs and boundaries, making them highly viable in predictable scenarios.

Apart from processing huge volumes of data, Razin says advanced AI solutions are also capable of ­spotting trends across complex datasets and are ­capable of ­continuously learning through feedback loops.

What the future brings

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has made it known that Malaysia is committed towards becoming a leader in AI and digital transformation in the Asean region.

During the launch of the National AI Office last year, he emphasised that Malaysia must embrace the need for tech-­driven change.

“History has shown that industrial revolutions and ­technological advancements ­initially sparked anxiety but ­ultimately created more opportunities. This is why training and digital literacy are critical in equipping our workforce for these changes,” he said in his speech.

As for the challenges inherent in the use of AI, Anwar emphasised in an Aug 18 report by The Star that Malaysians have to face the hurdles head-on by emphasising humanistic ­values and critical thinking.

“We must not only focus on developing expertise but also on nurturing values,” he explains.

While Malaysia has made meaningful progress through frameworks like the National AI Roadmap and the Digital Economy Blueprint (MyDigital) with initiatives that reflect strong policy intent and direction, Razin says the pace of AI adoption in the workplace is outstripping both skills development and ­policy execution.

“One of the most urgent gaps is in talent. There’s growing demand for AI-literate professionals such as engineers, data scientists, prompt engineers, and ethics specialists, but education and training systems haven’t yet scaled to meet this demand.

“The workforce also lacks widespread access to affordable, high-quality upskilling pathways that align with the real-world applications of AI,” he adds.

Razin believes for Malaysia to truly thrive in the AI era – ­policies must be “adaptive, data-­informed, and shaped in collaboration with those building and using these tools daily”.

Choo says the next five to ten years will mark the rise of “hybrid intelligence” where humans and AI collaborate as equal partners. He believes new AI-driven roles that have emerged include AI assistant trainers (experts to finetune how AI behaves and communicates) and AI governance leads (to ­oversee bias, ethics and ­compliance).

“We see this across every ­function: marketers using GenAI to personalise outreach, analysts using AI to simulate future ­scenarios, and engineers working with AI to rapidly prototype ­innovations. The emphasis will shift from hard skills alone to cross-functional fluency; blending AI literacy with domain expertise,” adds Choo.

In Malaysia, Choo says AI transformation can also be seen in areas like healthtech, smart manufacturing and agritech where roles in digital twin ­modelling and data privacy are gaining traction.

“The future is not about who gets replaced, but who gets reimagined. With the right ­support, that can and should include everyone,” he concludes.-- By ANGELIN YEOH

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Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Of AI, calculators and learning maths

 


WHILE teaching mathematics in two countries, Malaysia and China, I have noticed that the way students master this subject is deeply influenced by their own educational culture and assessment systems.

Scientific calculators and artificial intelligence (AI) are now part and parcel of the learning process. However, the students’ approaches to using these tools are still firmly rooted in the foundational values shaped by their respective systems.

In Malaysia, the use of scientific calculators is a standard practice among students at the upper secondary level.

Students are allowed to use them for mathematics and additional mathematics papers in the SPM exams, especially for questions involving trigonometry, logarithms or statistical calculations.

They do speed up calculations and minimise errors, but overly relying on them can sometimes lead to weaker mastery of basic computational skills and reduced understanding of the core mathematical concepts.

Teaching foundation students at Xi’an International University in China under the Universiti Malaya (UM) offshore programme revealed a very different learning system.

Many students there had never used scientific calculators before.

As they were preparing to pursue their undergraduate studies at UM, I made them use the calculators during lectures and assessments.

They were hesitant at first, but I could see their excitement when they tried to use the device.

Nevertheless, most of them continued to solve problems, such as multiplication, square roots and trigonometric expressions, manually and did so with remarkable speed and precision.

This comfort with manual computation stemmed from their early training and a system that actively reinforces such skills.

One of the main reasons for this is China’s national university entrance exam, Gaokao. Known for its intensity and competitiveness, Gaokao strictly prohibits the use of calculators in the mathematics paper. This policy is intentional; it aims to assess a student’s genuine computational skills, ensure fairness across all regions and backgrounds, and encourage deep mastery of mathematical principles without relying on technology. As a result, Chinese students are trained from young to memorise formulas and solve problems manually.

The outcome is a generation of students who possess strong fundamental skills and a high level of confidence when tackling complex problems using logical and structured steps.

Despite these systemic differences, global developments continue to impact both countries. Students in Malaysia and China are now turning to Ai-powered apps such as CHATGPT, Deepseek, Symbolab, and Photomath, and are becoming increasingly dependent on Ai-generated solutions without fully engaging with the problem-solving process.

To address this, I apply a simple yet effective approach in my classroom. Students are required to answer the questions using their own reasoning first before they are allowed to check or verify their answers using AI.

This approach trains them to think critically, assess their own solutions, and compare them with the output provided by AI tools. It also builds confidence in their conceptual understanding.

What I find most encouraging is how students respond when their answers differ from the Ai-generated ones. On several occasions, I have heard them say confidently, “I think my answer is correct. The AI is wrong.” To me, this is a clear indicator of authentic learning.

These students are not simply replicating solutions; they have internalised the logic, are able to explain their reasoning, and are not afraid to challenge the authority of a machine when they believe in their own understanding.

I fully support the integration of AI as a learning tool, but I also believe that solving problems manually and conceptual mastery of the subject – in this case mathematics – must remain the foundation of education.

Technology should enhance students’ learning but not replace their ability to think.

FATIN NABILA ABD LATIFF Senior lecturer Mathematics Division Centre for Foundation Studies in Science Universiti Malaya

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Tuesday, February 4, 2025

How DeepSeek Went From Stock Trader to A.I. Star, A SEISMIC SHIFT IN AI

DeepSeek, which started as a finance-focused hedge fund, has rapidly ascended to AI stardom with a powerful and cost-efficient model.

NDTV Explainer: How DeepSeek, Once A Stock Trader, Became A Major AI Player

DeepSeek's journey began in the financial sector under its parent company, High-Flyer (Representative)

Just when Silicon Valley giants OpenAI and Google thought there was no match for their dominance in the artificial intelligence landscape, a Chinese start-up came as an unexpected disruptor. DeepSeek, which started as a finance-focused hedge fund, is suddenly a force to reckon with - because its AI model is powerful, efficient and most importantly affordable.

Finance to AI

DeepSeek's journey began in the financial sector under its parent company, High-Flyer, a hedge fund specialising in quantitative trading. Unlike traditional AI research firms, DeepSeek's initial focus was leveraging machine learning to analyse China's volatile stock market. But regulatory crackdowns in 2021 compelled it to pivot away from speculative trading and step into the AI space.

By prioritising research over commercial fanfare, DeepSeek developed an AI model that claims to rival OpenAI's offerings but at a fraction of the cost. The firm reportedly trained its model for just $6 million, significantly lower than the estimated $100 million expenditure behind OpenAI's GPT-4.

Rise of DeepSeek

DeepSeek's new AI assistant, launched on January 20, quickly became the most downloaded free app on Apple's App Store. The AI is optimised for tasks like math and coding, making it a strong competitor in the AI space. 

Unlike many Western models, DeepSeek follows China's strict censorship rules. When asked about sensitive topics, it avoids direct answers, reflecting government control over digital content. Despite this, experts praise its efficiency, as it uses advanced and lower-grade chips to deliver high performance at a lower cost.

DeepSeek's vision

DeepSeek's founder, Liang Wenfeng, a Zhejiang University graduate with a background in electronic engineering and computer science, built his reputation in the finance sector before venturing to AI. He has been vocal about China's need to innovate rather than imitate, claiming that the real gap between Chinese and American AI lies in originality.

His ambitions align with Chinese President Xi Jinping's push to make AI a national priority.

Global reactions

DeepSeek's rise has not gone unnoticed by global markets and policymakers. The launch of its AI assistant coincided with a historic $600 billion market value drop for Nvidia, a key player in AI chip production. The US government's ongoing restrictions on advanced chip exports to China have raised concerns about Beijing's technological independence, yet DeepSeek's success suggests that China is rapidly advancing despite these barriers.

Even US President Donald Trump acknowledged the development, calling it a "wake-up call" for American tech firms. Australia's science minister, Ed Husic, has warned about potential security risks associated with the app, pointing out the need for scrutiny in data privacy and AI ethics.

 A SEISMIC SHIFT IN AI







Two years ago, when big-name Chinese technology companies like Baidu and Alibaba were chasing Silicon Valley’s advances in artificial intelligence with splashy announcements and new chatbots, DeepSeek took a different approach. It zeroed in on research.

The strategy paid off.

The Chinese start-up has jolted the tech world with its claim that it created a powerful A.I. model that was significantly cheaper to build than the offerings of its better-funded American rivals.

How DeepSeek Went From Stock Trader to A.I. Star



China’s DeepSeek shakes United States tech and energy market
s

FOUNDED just 20 months ago in China, artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek has demonstrated the inaccuracy of performance metrics touted by tech giants, causing a seismic shift in the market value of leading technology and energy companies in the United States.

Utilizing open-source software, the Chinese startup has achieved highly efficient results that have reshaped industry expectations and created a ripple effect by erasing some $2 trillion worth of market cap in U.S. stocks this week.

DeepSeek’s AI model has sent shock waves through the market valuations of American tech and energy behemoths. The secret to their success lies in an AI model that delivers superior results using less computational power and reduced energy consumption.

DeepSeek’s highly efficient AI model has led to significant declines in the market valuations of U.S.-based technology, software and energy companies. Particularly in the energy sector, shares of natural gas producers, power plant owners, and coal and uranium miners have seen notable drops. This development has triggered a reevaluation of expectations concerning the high energy demands of AI development.

In the technology sector, companies like Nvidia, which have made substantial investments in AI infrastructure, saw their shares fall by up to 17%, contributing to a collective market value loss of around $2 trillion on U.S. stock exchanges. While giants like Nvidia and energy companies reel, companies like Apple and Meta Platforms that can integrate AI at a lower cost have found new opportunities.

This shift has significantly altered future projections related to AI infrastructure and energy consumption.

Conversely, technology giants such as Apple and Meta have gained value due to lower capital expenditures and increased dividend expectations.

The market has viewed the adoption of cheaper AI models as a positive development. In summary, DeepSeek’s innovative AI model has caused billions of dollars in market fluctuations within the energy and technology sectors. Despite being founded in 2023, DeepSeek’s impact by 2025 has been profound, particularly on hardware, software and energy companies.

The startup’s efficient AI model has reduced the need for high-cost infrastructure, causing significant market turbulence. Just as Microsoft’s cloud credits have provided ChatGPT creator OpenAI with the necessary computing power and infrastructure to train large language models, the support from the High-Flyer hedge fund has played a similar role for DeepSeek.

Microsoft’s support came through cloud infrastructure, Azure, enabling OpenAI to train its large models on Microsoft’s servers. High-Flyer’s support for DeepSeek, on the other hand, has primarily been through capital and stockpiles of GPUs.

DeepSeek’s supercomputers were built using GPUs accumulated over the years by the hedge fund. While Microsoft entered into a commercial partnership with OpenAI, integrating AI services into its products (Office 365, Azure AI, etc.), there has been no such direct commercial integration between High-Flyer and DeepSeek.

The hedge fund supported DeepSeek believing in longterm AI research, while Microsoft aims to recoup its investment by selling commercial AI products. It’s unclear what kind of return High-Flyer expects from DeepSeek, but quantitative finance and AI integration could be considered.

Microsoft’s cloud credits for OpenAI provided the computing power needed for AI model development, while HighFlyer’s financial and hardware support similarly helped establish a strong infrastructure for DeepSeek.

However, Microsoft’s commercial goals are clearer, whereas High-Flyer’s economic benefits from DeepSeek remain uncertain.

Training and tech support: Empowering women entrepreneurs in quake-hit Hatay Türk Telekom has utilized its technology and education expertise as part of the Türkiye leg of the global program jointly executed by the United Nations Women and Nokia, aimed at enhancing women’s tech access and developing their entrepreneurial skills.

Under the banner “Move for Entrepreneurship,” the program, held in Hatay, one of the southeastern provinces struck by the devastating February 2023 earthquakes, focused on offering training in financial literacy and digital marketing to women entrepreneurs affected by the disaster.

It sought to boost women’s entrepreneurial skills, integrate them more effectively into the business world, provide solutions tailored to local needs and support sustainable development goals.

Türk Telekom joined the global program, which is being conducted in eight different countries by Nokia and U.N. Women, to support women’s economic independence and entrepreneurship skills in Türkiye.

In Hatay, 27 women entrepreneurs from nine local women’s cooperatives participated in the training sessions. Volunteers from Nokia and Türk Telekom provided a total of 20 hours of training, covering practical and skill-building content in areas such as financial and digital literacy, cybersecurity, marketing, project management and supply chain management.

Zeynep Özden, deputy general manager in charge of marketing and customer experience at TürkTelekom, said while pioneering the digital transformation of Türkiye, the company also takes it as its duty to support social development.

“Empowering women with technology is one of the keys to economic development. The digital world offers limitless opportunities for women entrepreneurs, and we strive to support their strong presence in the business world, using technology as a source of transformation and progress,” said Özden.

“With the ‘Move for Entrepreneurship’ program, we are contributing to increasing the entrepreneurial skills of women’s cooperatives affected by the earthquake in Hatay by providing technology and education support.