SDEC 2024 advances Malaysia’s AI and semiconductor ambitions with major announcements and collaborations

• Agreements were signed for talent development, research & joint projects
• GEM Education pledged US$23 mil to ASEM, boosting M’sia’s semiconductor ecosystem

Malaysia’s ambition to become a regional leader in AI and semiconductor technologies gained momentum on the second day of the Selangor Smart City & Digital Economy Convention (SDEC) 2024, part of the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) and organised by Selangor Information Technology & Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec). Key announcements underscored the country’s commitment to digital innovation, including the rebranding of AI Nusantara to the Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia (ASEM), marking an expansion in efforts to cultivate world-class talent in both AI and semiconductor fields.

The Day 2 ceremony of SDEC 2024 was officiated by Hajjah Hanifah Hajar Taib, deputy minister of Economy. Also present was Ng Sze Han, Selangor State Executive Councillor for Investment, Trade, and Mobility, who delivered opening remarks highlighting Selangor’s leadership in driving transformative industries such as AI and semiconductors. The ceremony featured a series of key announcements and initiatives aimed at strengthening Malaysia’s position in the global tech landscape.

A key highlight of the day was the rebranding of AI Nusantara to the Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia (ASEM). This marks a key milestone in Malaysia’s efforts to build a robust talent pipeline in both AI and semiconductor technologies. ASEM will focus on developing world-class talent and providing industry-relevant education, preparing Malaysia for a digital future driven by semiconductors.

Meanwhile, GEM Education announced a pledge to support US$23 million (RM100 million) for ASEM, underscoring its commitment to Malaysia’s growing semiconductor ecosystem. This investment is expected to enhance Malaysia’s standing in the global semiconductor market and accelerate the development of cutting-edge talent and research.

Further solidifying Malaysia’s leadership in semiconductor innovation, ASEM signed Memorandums of Understanding and Letters of Intent with 19 partner universities. These agreements focus on collaboration in talent development, research exchanges, and joint projects, fostering a stronger connection between academia and industry.

The event also recognised the graduation of 30 lecturers who have completed the Train-the-Trainer programme. This programme, run in collaboration with Sidec, The Hive Southeast Asia, and Taiwan AI Academy, has upskilled educators in semiconductor education, equipping them with the tools to nurture the next generation of tech professionals.

In addition, the day celebrated the success of 450 talents who completed specialised training under ASEM. These graduates, having completed courses in areas such as LLM Application Design and Object Detection, are now equipped with the skills needed to thrive as future tech leaders in Malaysia’s rapidly evolving digital economy.

Meanwhile, a series of panel sessions took place throughout the day, exploring potential across various industries. The "Battle of the AI Minds" talent competition brought together top AI innovators, moderated by Kamesh Raghavendra from The Hive and Dr Ling-Jyh Chen from Taiwan AI Academy. Participants presented AI solutions to real-world challenges, underscoring Malaysia’s commitment to developing global AI talent.

In another discussion, the generative AI in the cloud panel featured experts from AWS, SNS Network, and Exabytes, who shared insights on the rapid deployment of AI technologies via cloud infrastructure. Moderated by Denning Tan of GenAI Fund, the panel highlighted AI’s role in accelerating innovation across healthcare, smart mobility, and other key sectors.

The SDEC 2024 Exhibition showcased a diverse range of AI-powered technologies from over 200 exhibitors worldwide. It served as a hub for industry leaders, startups, and investors to connect and explore new opportunities in AI, robotics, and digital transformation. The exhibition drew attention from business professionals and tech enthusiasts, making it a central feature of the convention.