Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo says the establishment of the NAIO Lab is a “timely and strategic” move for Malaysia in its aim to build a thriving artificial intelligence (AI) value chain that connects the public sector, industry leaders, developers, and users, among others.
He said the NAIO Lab – a collaborative initiative between the National AI Office (NAIO) and the Global AI Village (GAIV) – will focus on citizen-centric AI applications in areas like agriculture, healthcare, and transportation.
“These are sectors that touch the lives of Malaysians. By leveraging on AI, we can improve productivity, enhance service delivery, and create new opportunities for growth,” said Gobind at the launch of NAIO Lab today.
“Through our partnership with GAIV, we are creating more than 450 high-skilled AI engineering jobs over the next three to five years. This move is not just about importing global talent but also nurturing local talent and ensuring Malaysians are at the forefront of AI innovation. We want to build a generation of AI leaders who can compete on the global stage.”
NAIO Lab’s first project, Rakan Tani, will be carried out in Terengganu. It will focus on rice farmers. This pilot project will test the effectiveness of AI-driven services like e-marketplaces, farming input recommendations, and credit scoring.
“We aim to roll out the first phase within the next three to four months. Once the pilot is successful, we will work with GAIV and other partners to scale these solutions nationwide. While agriculture is our starting point, the NAIO Lab will soon expand to healthcare and transportation. These are areas where AI can make a real difference in improving quality of life and driving digital economic growth.”
The Rakan Tani platform offers a range of AI-driven solutions, each aimed at improving different facets of the agricultural supply chain. They include:
Pre-harvest commerce: By utilising AI-driven order matching, Rakan Tani allows farmers to secure the best prices for their crops early in the cultivation cycle. This provides financial predictability, mitigates market volatility, and allows farmers to plan better for the future.
AI-driven subsidy access: The platform automates the process of accessing government agricultural subsidies, making it easier for farmers to tap into financial support without lengthy paperwork. By integrating with national ID systems like MyKad, Rakan Tani ensures a seamless, transparent experience.
Agriculture financing: Farmers can leverage AI-powered pre-harvest orders as collateral to secure financing, ensuring they have access to the capital needed to expand their operations. This is especially beneficial for smallholders who may have limited access to traditional financing options.
Real-time cash payouts: Integration with digital banking platforms ensures that farmers have secure, instant access to their payments. This addresses the cash flow challenges faced by many smallholder farmers and promotes financial independence.
Logistics and distribution: The platform connects confirmed orders with distributors and logistics providers, streamlining the entire supply chain process. From collection to transportation, Rakan Tani optimises the logistics of moving produce from farm to market, reducing delays and improving efficiency.
Gobind added that it was the Digital Ministry’s vision to make AI accessible, inclusive, and beneficial to every Malaysian.
“Whether you’re a farmer in Sarawak, a healthcare worker in Johor, or a student in Kuala Lumpur, we want AI to work for you.”
Gobind also said his ministry was working closely with local universities, industry leaders, and start-ups to ensure the NAIO Lab is a true reflection of Malaysia’s diverse talent and innovation ecosystem.
“Together, we can create solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also socially impactful. To our industry partners, academia, and start-ups, the NAIO Lab is your platform to innovate, collaborate, and make a difference,” he added.
