PUTRAJAYA: A landmark initiative aimed at accelerating the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across Malaysia’s public services concluded on Sept 3.
The two-day AI for Public Sector Seminar and Public Sector AI Nexus Challenge (PSAINC) 2026 brought together some 250 civil servants. Organised by the Digital Ministry in collaboration with AI Malaysia Bhd and the National Digital Department, the event provided insights into the nation’s strategic AI roadmap, emerging technologies and practical public sector applications.
The event featured presentations from finalists of PSAINC 2026, a two-month programme launched on July 3. The competition involved 120 participants across 40 federal and state teams.
Over the course of the challenge, participants completed a structured programme comprising an AI Mentoring Bootcamp and nine AI Mentoring Lab sessions supported by AWS, Google, Microsoft, and Telekom Malaysia.
This culminated in a buildathon competition, where teams created AI-driven solutions to resolve real-world operational issues within government departments.
During the closing ceremony, Datuk Fabian Bigar, the secretary-general of the Digial Ministry, stressed the importance of progressing from experimental projects to generating real value through AI, focusing on boosting productivity, streamlining workflows, and improving public services for citizens.
Chief Secretary to the Government of Malaysia, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, who officially closed the event, called for a strategic shift from “AI Adoption to AI Productivity”. He stated that progress must be measured by clear improvements in public sector performance and service delivery to the public.
As Malaysia works towards its target of becoming an AI Nation by 2030, the government aims to focus on developing scalable solutions and achieving measurable results to build a more efficient and responsive civil service.
