Microsoft has announced yet another Malaysia-based investment in the form of the new ‘AIForMYFuture’ program that aims to upskill around 800,000 Malaysians in artificial intelligence (AI) by the end of 2025.
The news went public at the Microsoft Cloud and AI Summit Malaysia and is positioned as our government’s broader efforts to upskill and reskill its workforce, supporting initiatives like the soon-to-be-launched National AI Office (NAIO), under the Ministry of Digital. By fostering cross-sector collaboration, the initiative seeks to integrate AI fluency into every facet of Malaysian society, from rural agriculture to high-tech industries in Penang.
Designed to democratize AI learning by collaborating with government bodies, businesses, educational institutions, and non-profits, tailored learning pathways will be provided for professionals, students, underserved groups, and job seekers. Key pillars of the initiative include:
- Nationwide AI fluency: By partnering with ministries, agencies, and social enterprises, Microsoft aims to embed AI skills into all layers of society, fostering a digitally literate workforce.
- Industry readiness: From startups to established corporations, the program offers skilling solutions to accelerate AI adoption across sectors.
- Future-proofing talent: AI-focused programs in schools, universities, and TVET institutions aim to create a robust pipeline of next-gen developers and innovators.
- Inclusive opportunities: Special initiatives will target underserved communities and empower women entrepreneurs with accessible AI education.
Central to this effort is Microsoft’s AI Skills Navigator which is a platform offering personalized learning journeys that cater to foundational and advanced AI expertise. This aligns with Malaysia’s National AI Roadmap that started way back in 2021 and closes in the next year, which prioritizes inclusive economic growth through AI integration.
The new program continues the push and effort of the Windows OS maker’s past achievements including skilling over 1.53 million Malaysians through its Bersama Malaysia initiative as well as recent collaborations with local institutions like AI TEACH Malaysia and the Ready4AI&Security program by equipping more than 73,000 participants with AI and cybersecurity.
If you’re interested in hopping onto the upskilling train, click here to learn more about AI Skills Navigator as a starting point and see if the ‘AIForMYFuture’ meets your expectations and requirements.
